LIBRARY 




v 



A Dictionary of Men's Wear 



Works by Mr Baker 

A Dictionary of Men's Wear 

(This present book) Cloth $2.50, Half 
Morocco $3.50 



A Dictionary of Engraving 

A handy manual for those who buy or 
print pictures and printing plates made 
by the modern processes. Small, handy 
volume, uncut, illustrated, decorated 
boards, 75c 

A Dictionary of Advertising 
In preparation 



A 

Dictionary 

of 

Men's Wear 



Embracing all the terms (so far as could be gathered) 
used in the men's wear trades expressiv of raw and 
=; finisht products and of various stages and items of 

production; selling terms; trade and popular slang 
and cant terms; and many other things curious, 
pertinent and impertinent; with an appendix con- 
taining sundry useful tables; the uniforms of "ancient 
and honorable" independent military companies of the 
U. S.; charts of correct dress, livery, and so forth. 

By 

William Henry Baker 

Author of "A Dictionary of Engraving" 




"A good dictionary is truly very interesting 
reading in spite of the man who declared that 
such an one changed the subject too often." 

— S William Beck 



CLEVELAND 

WILLIAM HENRY BAKER 

1908 



Copyright 1908 By William Henry Baker Cleveland O 



LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two Copies 

NOV 24 I SOB 

Copyright tntry _ 
OL^SS^tfU XXc, No. 



Press of The Britton Printing Co Cleveland 



tf- ?^ 



Dedication 

Conforming to custom this unconventional book is 

Dedicated 

to those most likely to be benefitted, i. e., to 
The 15000 or so Retail Clothiers 
The 15000 or so Custom Tailors 

The 1200 or so Clothing Manufacturers 

The 5000 or so Woolen and Cotton Mills 
The 22000 or so Retail Shoe Dealers 

The 2300 or so Shoe Manufacturers and Jobbers 
The 19000 or so Retail Hatters 

The 1000 or so Hat and Cap Manufacturers and Jobbers 
The 12000 or so Haberdashers 

The 22000 or so Dry Goods and Department Stores 
And other allied lines of business in this country 
Alike to owners and employes and especially to 
"The Advertising Man" 

Who usually gets all that is coming to him 

and finally 

To every man with a library 



p 1 



n 



SOME seven years ago the author, then connected with a 
clothing manufacturing concern as advertising manager, 
wrote a compact little "Clothes Dictionary" which was 
presented to the trade with the compliments of the pub- 
lishers. All definitions were short and to the point, many were 
humorous, and all were within a necessarily limited scope of in- 
terest. There had never been anything like it and the book 
"caught on" immediately, with the result that the author there- 
upon went to work seriously to compile a larger, fuller, more 
comprehensiv dictionary along similar lines. 

The present book is the result. Six years or more (as time 
permitted) have been spent in reading, listening and correspond- 
ence for new terms and new meanings. 

Naturally, as all first compilations must inevitably be, the 
book is, frankly, lacking many definitions, particularly of terms 
in popular use long ago, and doubtless, many of today. Where- 
fore no claim is made that the book is complete, but it is believed 
that it is reasonably so — or usably so. 

In compilation the main purpose has been to make the book 
comprehensiv (covering about everything of men's wear, use and 
interest) and, contrary to most dictionaries, encyclopedias and 
the like, interesting. 

Altho the title specifies "men's wear", the book broadly 
covers many items of women's wear (as many fabrics, etc., are 
common to both sexes), and except that items of strictly women's 
wear have been omitted, might have been entitled "A Dictionary 
of Apparel", and should, therefore, be of quite as much interest 
to the straight drygoods merchant as to the modern clothier. 

The definitions are not tiresomely long — not any of them — 
but all are of sufficient length to cover essentials and are accurate 
and reliable ; and, altho the dictionary is somewhat encyclopedic, 
it is not intended that it shall take the place of any encyclopedia. 
A feature of its forerunner that may be appreciated is that many 
of the less important and more obvious terms are dismist quite 
briefly or else freely or facetiously handled — enough so to induce 
one to search the pages for these alone. 

Obviously, no hard and fast rules could be set to govern 
the work. Each term had to be considered in itself and explained 
so clearly, without waste (or skimping) of words, as to be under- 
standable without the aid of pictures. That there has been no 
necessity for illustrations and that the book has been otherwise 
brightened without them the author considers somewhat of an 
achievment. 



In a word, it has been the aim of the author to make simply 
a handy reference book, "popular" rather than learned, helping 
one over transient needs, leaving the wearying technical disserta- 
tions to text books, encyclopedias, etc. If this has been ac- 
complisht, there is great cause for satisfaction to 

William Henry Baker 
Cleveland, 1908 



Mem 



Please don't be provoked by the use of "simplified spelling.'' It helpt 
me cram much more in the compass of this book than could have been 
done with the use of some of our superannuated forms. Besides, sim- 
plification is the order of the day, and we might as well get used to it, every 
one of us. And, again, only the less jarring and those surest of early adop- 
tion have been used: there's a concession to conservatism and "the conven- 
tions". 

Neither permit the abbreviation of repetitions of index-words to the 
initial letters thereof to confuse you. The eye catches the sense and simplicity 
of the scheme quickly enough (the brain should be no less nimble) — and the 
eye must not be offended. Besides, this has saved me more space than 
"simplified spelling". 

Please notice, further, that this is not a pronouncing dictionary. Most 
people in the trade don't need this feature, thru daily familiarity with the 
terms, even tho they may not thoroly understand them — which is nothing 
unusual. And so, to keep as many "high-browed" features out of the way 
as was possible, and to make this just a handy look-into book for everyday 
folks (such a book as I have longed for for my own use) pronunciation, 
grammar-classing, and such like devices of the weary big-books were deemed 
superfluous and dropt. You will have to go to them, anyway, on some sub- 
jects which this book treats briefly — why tire you beforehand? — W. H. B. 



Authorities Consulted 



New International Encyclopedia 

Standard Dictionary- 
Cole's "Encyclopedia of Dry Goods" 

Giles' "History of Cutting in England" 

Planche's "History of Costume" 

Mrs. Earle's "Two Centuries of Costume in America", "Cos- 
tume of Colonial Days", etc. 

Mrs. Aria's "Costume : Fanciful, Historical and Theatrical" 

Mitchell's "New Standard Coat System" 

Croonborg's "Supreme System for Men's Garments" 

Baker's "Clothes Dictionary" 

Beck's "Gloves : Their Annals and Associations" 

Boutell's "Arms and Armour" 

Rimmel's "The Book of Perfumes" 

Edwards' "History and Poetry of Finger Rings" 

Hamersly's "Naval Encyclopedia" 

"Clothes and the Man" by the "Major" of Today 

"The Complete Bachelor" by the author of the "As Seen 
by Him" papers 

Johnston's "Clans and Their Tartans" 

Farmer's "Americanisms, Old and New" 

U. S. War Dept. General Orders No. 169, Aug. 14, 1907, 
et seq. (Uniform Regulations) 

U. S. Navy Dept. Uniform Regulations, 1905 
U. S. Marine Corps Uniform Regulations, 1908 
U. S. Interior Dept. Bureau of Forestry Uniform Regulations 
U. S. Treasury Dept., Circular No. 3, Customs Officer's Uni- 
forms, Jan. 3, 1905 

U. S. Treasury Dept. Revised Regulations, Uniforms U. S. 
Revenue Cutter Service, 1900, et seq. 

U. S. State Dept. Report on Silk and Silk Manufactures 
(Cowdin) 

New York City Police Dept. Manual, 1905 
New York City Fire Dept. Regulations, 1905 
Chicago Police Dept. Uniform Regulations 
Chicago Fire Dept. Uniform Regulations 

'Sartorial Art Journal" 
'American Tailor and Cutter" 
'American Gentleman" 
'Daily Trade Record" 
'Apparel Gazette" 
'The Haberdasher" 



"Clothier and Furnisher" 

"American Hatter" 

"American Silk Trade Journal" 

"Dry Goods Economist" 

"Jeweler's Circular" 

"Boot and Shoe Recorder" 

"Fibre and Fabric" and other trade journals 

Many reference books and other books not specially con- 
sulted for this purpose 

Various Government reports not separately credited 
Numerous trade catalogs, brochures, etc. 



Personal Acknowledgments 

In recognition of interest and assistance rendered in the mat- 
ter of definitions, etc. : 

S. S. Paupst, ex-secretary International Custom Cutters' 
Association of America, Cleveland 

John A. Carlstrom, ex-president International Custom Cut- 
ters' Association of America, author of "Proportions of the 
Human Form" and other works on tailoring, New York 

Samuel Dreyer, of Alschuler, Dreyer & Co., clothing manu- 
facturers, Chicago 

Globe Woolen Co., New York 

Schnabel Bros., woolens, New York 

Regal Shoe Co., East Whitman, Mass. 

J. Harry Selz, of Selz, Schwab & Co., shoemakers, Chicago 

The Crofut & Knapp Co., hat manufacturers, New York 

Spear & Co., cap manufacturers, New York 

Members of various independent military companies (in 
most instances, the commanding officer) for matter in appendix 

W T hile particular and grateful acknowledgment is due to 
fellow workers in the clothing and dry goods trades, from whom 
the argot and lingo of the trade emanates and becomes, finally, 
"good English" 



Diction 



A 



A i — (i) of first quality; (2) entitled to unlimited credit. 
A la mode — in style; according to the vogue. 
Aba — (1) a very primitiv garment worn in Northern Africa, 
consisting of a square of heavy woolen cloth, folded, with open- 
ings for head and arms and worn after the manner of a coat or 
tunic ; (2) a sort of overcoat of rough brown material open in 
front, with wide sleeves terminating at the elbow, worn in 
Persia. (Also called Abayeh.) 
Abb — see Wool. 

Abdominal band — an elastic bandage of knit wool, or other ma- 
terial, worn over the stomach for general protection in cold 
weather, or as a supporter or reducer. 

Abdominal guard — a sort of suspensory (qv) having a metal or 
sole leather protectiv piece with elastic straps, worn by football 
players, wrestlers, etc. 

Academic gowns — the loose, flowing garments worn by students 
and professors at certain universities on certain occasions. 
Acid tannage — a quick process of preparing leather for use, by 
immersion in acids instead of the slower salt and bark prepara- 
tions, and requiring but 4 to 7 days to put the leather on the 
market. 

Acid test — a term generally employed to designate a means of 
determining the quality of anything, fabrics, for instance ; as 
testing the color of indigo with a mixture of acetic and sulfuric 
acids; for more exhaustiv explanation see any good encyclo- 
pedia. See also Boiling-out t. 

Acorn — (1) an ornamental end-tag for military hat cords, slings, 
etc.; (2) an embroidered device representing rank, corps, etc., 
usually placed on caps, collars, etc., of military uniforms. 
Actual measures — tailoring term meaning no allowances for 
extra roominess or any deviation from the usual practise. 
Ad — easiest spoken and written diminutiv of advertisement, but 
senseless in the latter case, advt. being preferable. 
Adhesiv plaster — see Sticking p. 

Admiral's uniform — see Special full dress, Full dress, Dress, 
Service dress, Evening dress, Mess dress, Undress; see also 
variations. 
Adonis — see Wig. 

Advertisement — a statement of business fact, customarily with 
one or more loop-holes. 



Adv 12 Ali 

Advertisement writer — a power in, for and against business in 
proportion as he takes himself seriously or jocosely, appreciates 
or undervalues his business status, and strives toward certain 
definit ends or fritters time away; and yet, good or otherwise, 
one who seems to take perpetual personal offense at the sugges- 
tions of "the old man". 

Aesthetic — (i) daintily nice; finical; affecting a love of the beau- 
tiful; (2) the beautiful itself. 

After-pressing — in clothing manufacture, the final pressing-off 
given to finisht garments ; a careful, painstaking operation dur- 
ing which the niceties of shape omitted during first pressing 
(qv) are given to the garment. 

Agraf — an ornamental loop, clasp or lock. (Agraffe.) 
Aigret — a tuft of feathers. (Aigrette.) 

Aiguilet — an ornamental festoon or series of loopt gold cords, 
worn by general officers of the army, marine corps, etc., with 
full dress and special dress uniforms ; attacht to right shoulder 
passing over the shoulder, around and under the arm and across 
the right breast, attaching to one of the top buttons of the coat 
as prescribed. (Aiguilette.) 

Air-jacket — a garment, usually of rubber, capable of being in- 
flated and used as a life preserver. 
Airs — putting on ; making believe ; snobbery. • 
Alamode — a plain, soft, glossy silk of colonial days, somewhat 
like surah-s, variously used, but especially for linings. 
Alapaca — corruption of alpaca (qv). 

Alaska — a cloth-topt rubber overshoe with a large tongue 
covering the instep. 

Alaska seal — the most uniformly good of the various fur seals ; 
trade term for "finest grade". 

Alb — a linen vestment, often richly trimmed, reaching to the 
ankles, worn by priests over the cassock and amice, having close 
sleeves and girded at the waist. 
Albert — see Prince A. 

Albert cloth — general term for reversible all-wool materials, 
each side of different colors, and so finisht that no lining is re- 
quired, used chiefly for overcoats; better known as "golf cloth", 
"plaid back covert", etc. 

Alexis — a bag shaped cap, usually of fur, rounded at the top. 
Alforjas — a sort of double wallet serving for saddlebags, but 
more frequently carried slung across the shoulder; usually of 
canvas. (Spanish.) 

Alizarin — an absolutely fast-color dye substance, formerly ob- 
tained from madder root, but now obtained in large quantities 
from anthracene, a coal-tar product. (Alizarine.) 



All 13 Ame 

All wool — literally, fabrics composed entirely of wool — sheep's 
wool; but lately and not too honestly used in connection with 
fabrics having an admixture of shoddy or garnetted yarns or 
having "decorations" of silk or mercerized cotton, for which 
conditions the term "commercially all wool" has been suggested 
as less accusiv to sensitiv consciences and as equally deceptiv to 
the buyer. Alackaday ! 

All-wool-and-a-yard-wide — a Yankee simile for thoro-going 
genuineness. 

All- wool-yard- wide-and-an-inch-thick — familiar or jocular term 
for good quality. 

Allapine — a woolen fabric used for men's wear in early part of 
the 18th century. 

Alligator leather — the tanned hide of the alligator, characterized 
by its peculiar plate-like markings and its enormous durability; 
used to some extent for shoe leather but more generally for 
traveling luggage, pocket books, etc. 
Allonge — see Wig. 

Alpaca — (1) the wooly hair of a South American animal of the 
camel family, first manufactured into fabrics by Sir Titus Salt, 
a worsted spinner at Liverpool ; (2) a thin, glistening, plain- 
woven, double-fold fabric, usually with a fine cotton or linen 
warp, used for summer coats, linings, etc. 

Alpargatas — low, thick-soled sandals tied around the ankles 
with gay ribbons, worn by Castalian peasants. Also called 
espardenas. 

Alpine hat — see Fedora. 

Alteration hand — in tailoring, a bushelman ; one who alters gar- 
ments to make them agree with the pattern or to better fit the 
customer. 

Alterations — (1) the sine qua non of a "perfect fit", and eke 
items of expense to the tailor; (2) makeshifts of the impecunious 
to force garments into presentability for another season. 
Amana goods — general term for flannels, calicos, jeans, stocking 
yarns, etc., manufactured by the Amana Community or Society 
of True Inspiration, a religious order centering principally at 
(and in other towns about) Amana, Tabor Co., Iowa. Charac- 
teristics of these goods are stoutness, simplicity and durability. 
Amber — a fossilized resin of yellowish color, used for jewelry, 
cigar holders, mouthpieces, etc. 

Ambergris — a substance generated by the spermaceti whale and 
found floating on the sea or washt ashore, used in the blending 
of certain perfumes and valued for an ethereal fragrance im- 
parted thereto. 

American shoulders — "Epauls Americaine", an appellation given 
to wadded shoulders in France. 



Ame 14 Apr 

Americans — trade term for cloths produced by any of the many 
mills comprising the great concern known as the American 
Woolen Company. 

Amice — an embroidered ecclesiastical collar of fine white linen 
attacht to a hood. 

Ammunition bag — a b. or pouch of waterproof canvas or duck, 
carried suspended by a strap from the shoulders; also used as 
lunch b., for small luggage, etc. 
Ammunition belt — see Cartridge b. 

Amulet — a charm, often of precious metals and gems, worn 
around the neck as a preventiv of ills, enchantments, accidents, 
etc. 

Anderson's — trade diminutiv for the fine ginghams manufac- 
tured by David & John Anderson, Glasgow, Scotland. 
Anglesea — trade name for a light, thinnish curl given to felt hat 
brims ; compare D'Orsay. 

Anglican cassock — differing from Latin c. in that it is double 
breasted without buttons, the cincture or girdle being knotted 
behind the hip. 

Angola — a thick, soft wooly overcoating. 

Angora — (1) the hair or wool of the Angora goat of Asia Minor, 
from which is woven the mohair fabrics of commerce. A. wool 
is classified as combing, carding and coarse, and again subdi- 
vided into about ten other grades. See Wool; (2) also, loosely, 
any fabric woven of A. wool. 
Anilin dye — any dye stuff derived from coal tar ; such dyes are 
permanent on silk and wool, but are fugitiv on fabrics of vege- 
table fiber. (Aniline.) See Alizarin dye. 

Ankle boot — (1) a heavy rubber shoe reaching to the ankle for 
wear over (lumbermen's) heavy wool socks ; (2) an old name 
for shoes. 

Ankle length — trade term for undergarments reaching to the 
ankles. 

Ankle support — a device of leather, metal or fiber for the support 
of weak ankles, worn either inside or outside the stocking, but 
inside the shoe, by athletes, children and people with weak 
ankles. 

Annapolis uniform — see Cadet u. 

Anthropometry — man-measurement ; an essential tailoring study. 
Apple-pie-order — in excellent condition ; fine shape ; neat and 
trim. 

Apprentice — one who serves under another to learn a trade, art 
or profession, especially when indentured ; usually a minor. 
Apron — (1) a sort of loose over-garment, variously made, of 
fabric, leather, etc., worn to protect one's clothes while at work 
(2) the curtain or inside waist lining of trousers ; (3) a sort of 



Apr 15 Arm 

light drapery worn in hot countries around a hat or cap, cover- 
ing the neck (see Havelock) ; (4) part of the regalia of certain 
secret societies ; (5) a livery lap robe. 

Apron checks — gingham woven in small, plain square checks. 
Apron overalls — a style of o. made with a shield or apron cover- 
ing breast of wearer. 

Apron supporter — a sort of belt or adjustable strap for holding 
aprons (waiters, et al.) in place without slipping. 
Arch support — a mechanical device made of metal or leather, 
or both, worn inside the shoe, immediately under the arch of the 
foot and conforming to the shape of the foot at this point, used 
as a support to prevent the falling of the arch or support a flat 
foot. 

Arctics — warm-lined waterproof overshoes, usually with rubber 
soles and cloth tops, fastening with one or more buckles. 
Arkansaw toothpick — see Bowie knife. 

Arm band — an elastic band similar to a woman's round garter, 
worn to hold up shirt sleeves. 
Arm-head — see Shoulder h. 

Arm-hole — the opening in a coat or shirt to which the sleeve is 
joined; the arm opening in a sleeveless waistcoat; the scye (qv). 
Arm-pit — the axilla or cavity under the arm ; compare Arm-hole 
and Scye. 

Arm-scye — see Scye. 

Armenian cloak — a fashionable overgarment of 1851, composed 
of one piece of cloth (except for the sewed-on wide turn-over 
collar) and with no seams except the underarm seam of sleeve 
and the underarm body-join, the collar and front edges trimmed 
with velvet or wide braid, and the garment fastened at the neck 
with cord and tassels. 

Armistice cloth — an effect in color combining; a sort of worsted 
cloth, variant of Queen's mourning c. and of Coronation c, ex- 
hibiting Boer orange, royal blue and black with occasionally 
white or red ; appeared about the time of conclusion of Boer war 
and named in commemoration thereof. 

Armlet — (1) an ornamental band of classic times; (2) an elastic 
used for holding up shirt sleeves ; (3) a piece of ancient armor. 
Armor — defensiv paraphernalia worn by the knights and sol- 
diery of medieval times and now manufactured for the benefit 
of those manufacturing an ancestry. English a. since the Nor- 
man conquest may be divided into 4 great groups: (1) mail a., 
worn until 1300; (2) mixt mail and plate a., worn from say 
1301 to say 1410; (3) plate a., worn from about 1410 to almost 
1600; (4) half a. (partial — these were the days they were learn- 
ing to do without it) worn until say 1700. If interested further 
consult encyclopedia or other authoritativ work on the subject. 
Armozine — a strong corded silk once used for waistcoats. 



Arm 16 Arm 

Armure — any cloth woven in miniature imitation of feudal metal 
armor-plates, heraldic devices, diamonds, birds-eye and seeded 
effects; specifically (i) a twilled or cross-twilled fabric of silk or 
wool; (2) a manner of setting up loom harnesses to produce the 
wanted weave. The principal "armures" are (a) taffeta or 2 
harness, forming a single interlacement ; (b) serge or 3 harness ; 
(c) twill or Batavia, 4 harness ; and (d) satteen, 5 or more har- 
nesses. 

Army and navy brushes — better known as military b. (qv). 
Army belt — a waist b. of stuft russet leather or pigskin, with 
detachable slings of same, worn by all officers (except chaplains) 
under the dress coat and overcoat and outside the service coat. 
In the field, cross belts over the shoulders for carrying saber and 
pistol are authorized. A b. of black webbing with detachable 
slings of stuft russet leather or pigskin may be worn under the 
dress coat. Full-dress slings worn with full-dress uniform, and 
russet or pigskin with all others. 
Army brogan — see Brogan. 

Army cap — see Dress c, Service c, White c, Full-dress c. 
Army facings — see Officers' f. 
Army hat — see Service h. 

Army helmet — for officers and enlisted men, of white and khaki 
colored materials; conforming to pattern in quartermaster's 
dept. ; worn in lieu of service cap with the service uniform on 
garrison duty and as otherwise prescribed ; recently discontinued. 
Army leggings — for officers, of stuft russet leather of strap- 
puttee pattern ; for enlisted men, of cotton, duck or canvas, laced, 
of the color of the service uniform. 
Army stripes — see Trousers s. 

Army officers' cape — a circular c. of dark blue cloth reaching to 
the tips of the fingers, with a rolling collar of black velvet and 
closing at the throat with a long loop. Lined as follows : general 
officers and officers of staff corps and departments, dark blue ; 
infantry officers, light blue ; artillery officers, scarlet ; cavalry 
officers, yellow. May be worn by all officers when not on duty 
with troops under arms. 

Army overcoat — for officers: a double-breasted ulster of olive- 
drab woolen material, closing with 5 large horn buttons; deep 
standing collar; a large vertical pocket, opening thru lining, with 
outer flap, on each side; deep center vent; coat to reach 8 to 10 
inches below knee, with back belt let into side seams, buttoning 
behind ; a detachable hood of same material ; bands of black 
braid on sleeves and other insignia according to rank. For en- 
listed men : of olive-drab woolen material, the general design and 
cut same as officers' overcoats, bronze buttons. 
Army shoes — for enlisted men: of black calfskin, blucher style 
for dress; of stufft russet grain calf, for marching; of russet 



Arm 17 Atl 

leather, blucher style, for garrison; of brown cotton duck for 
barracks wear. For officers, high shoes of black calf, black 
enamel or black patent leather or of stuft russet leather. 
Army trunk — any t. designed for army (or navy) officers' use, 
commonly provided with trays and compartments for saber, 
hats, shoes, in addition to the usual provisions for suits of 
clothes, underwear, etc. 

Army uniforms — see Full dress, Dress u., Service u., Fatigue 
u., et var; also general orders No. 169, August 14, 1907, et seq. 
Arrowhead — same as Crowsfoot (qv). 

Art fiber silk — proprietary term for artificial or wood s. (also 
called art s.), and articles made therefrom. See Artificial s. 
Art silk — see Artificial s. 
Articles — cant for a suit of clothes. 

Artificial silk — a lustrous textil fabric, largely used for neckwear, 
chemically produced from wood-cellulose, and then dyed, spun, 
and woven or knit; is easily injured by dampness or wet; its 
strength is said to be about 68% of that of pure s. and of about 
the same elasticity. Also called variously Art s., Textil (e) s., 
Wool s., etc. 

Artillery pocket — the deadly hip p. 

Artillery uniform — see Full dress, Dress u., Service u., Fatigue 
u., et var. 

As had — as before ; up to quality of previous purchases. 
As is — as it stands ; not perfect ; not guaranteed ; without lia- 
bility for defects. 

Asbestos — an excellent material for grave clothes. 
Ascot — a cravat or neck dressing to be tied as a puff, once over, 
waterfall, etc. 

Assabet — a well-known American make of flannel (qv). 
Astrakan — a woolen or silk material with a long and closely 
curled pile in imitation of the fur of that name. See below. 
Astrakhan fur — the pelts of young lambs from the country of 
that name, usually black and very curly; used for making col- 
lars, muffs, coats, etc. 

Atef crown — a high, conical headpiece or diadem of mythological 
symbolism ; also worn by certain kings on ceremonial occasions. 
Athletic pants — loose cotton knee trousers or trunks, with a fly 
or with elastic waistband. 

Athletic shirt — a loose cotton s., cut low in the neck and either 
with deep open armholes or with short loose shoulder sleeves. 
Athletic underwear — general name for light, loose undergar- 
ments; drawers usually cut knee length; shirts usually low neck 
and sleeveless, sometimes with deep armholes. 
Atlas — a light, half-silk fabric glost on one side, chiefly used 
for linings. 



Att 18 Bac 

Attar of roses — the fragrant, volatil, essential oil extracted from 
the petals of roses ; used pure and as a base for many other per- 
fumes. 

Attleborough — trade term meaning "cheap jewelry", which is 
largely made in Attleborough, Mass. See Brummagem. 
Au rigueur — full ceremonious dress. 

Auction sale — a merchandising fake, generally ; if peripatetic an 
invariable fraud. 

Aune — the old French unit of cloth measure (i% yards), now 
superseded by the metric system. 

Australian wool — a term used commonly in the sense of excep- 
tional quality or excellence and to distinguish Australian w. 
from that produced elsewhere. See Wool. 

Automatics — trade term for worsted fabrics woven on automatic 
looms, in contradistinction to those requiring much personal 
attendance. 

Automobile cap — a rain, dust and windproof c. for motor wear, 
with and without goggles. 

Automobile cape — a leather or cloth c. for wear in automobiling. 
Automobile coat — any c, especially an overcoat, designed for au- 
tomobile wear, of style varying according to taste or require- 
ments, but usually notable for amplitude of skirt, roominess, and 
the manner in which it is made to protect against wind, rain, 
cold, dust, etc. 
Autumn weight — see Fall w. 



B 



Baboosh — a sort of slipper made with sole and vamp only, worn 
chiefly in Oriental countries. 

Baby flannel — a light-weight all-wool fabric, usually plain woven, 
carefully finisht and bleacht white. 
Baby lamb — see Persian 1. and Broadtail. 

Bachelor's button — (i) a trouser's b. with a self-clamping or 
riveting shank; (2) a flower of the centaurea or ranunculas fam- 
ily, worn in lapels by some exquisites. 

Bachelor's gown — a loose, flowing g. of black stuff, with hood 
and long pointed sleeves, having facings of colored material in- 
dicativ of the branch of learning. 

Back — (1) of a garment, the rear part; (2) of a fabric, the under- 
side. See Backpart. 



Bac 19 Bag 

Back-and-fore stitch — a combination of back s. and running s., 
made by making a regular back s., but before withdrawing 
needle, letting it go thru again and repeat; usually employed 
when speed is desired, but greater strength needed than is 
afforded by regular running s. (qv). 

Back fold — the plaits in the back of a frock or skirted coat. 
Back order — a memorandum of goods due purchaser on original 
order, which was shipt in an incomplete state, owing to short- 
age of some of the items, which are placed on "back order", to 
go forward as soon as received. 

Back-part — broadly, the behind part or rear of any garment; in 
coat making that part which joins the sidebody, as in a frock 
coat, or the forepart, as in a sack coat. 

Back pockets — hip p., which garrisoned, are infinit sources of 
shock and trouble. 

Back shop — a tailor's workshop, on the premises. 
Back stitch — considered the most important s. a tailor employs, 
made by taking a long s. forward and another of half the length 
back; a very strong and flexible s., used for sewing waist seams, 
inseams, sleeves, etc. 
Back strap — see Heel s. 

Backing — (1) the under-web of double or faced cloth; (2) the 
refuse from wool or flax dressing. 

Backt cloth — technically, a single fabric with a series of threads 
so woven on the under surface as to form almost a distinct layer 
of c, yet in close combination with the face fabric, the object 
being a gain in weight or bulk, or the appearance of it; one 
series of warp and weft only is employed. Usually worsteds and 
cheap overcoatings. Loosely called Double c, French back, etc. 
(qv). Compare Thru-and-thru. (Backed c.) 
Badge — a mark, token or decoration. 

Badger — an animal of the melinae sub-family, the hide of which 
is used for robes, etc., the hair for shaving brushes and other 
brushes. 

Badger whiskers — a form of facial artistry, prescribed by Hon. 
Geo. E. Badger, Secretary of the Navy, in 1841, to the effect 
that no part of a sailor's beard should be worn long except the 
whiskers, and that they should not descend more than an inch 
below the ears and then in a line with the mouth. 
Bag-and-baggage — all one's movable Lares and Penates. 
Bag breeches — knickerbockers (qv) are sometimes so called — 
tho incorrectly. 

Bag gloves — see Punching b. g. 

Bag tag — a t. usually of leather and variously made, for attach- 
ing to hand luggage, and which contains the owner's name, ad- 
dress, etc. 



Bag 20 Ban 

Bag wig — a w. with a bag to hold the back hair. 
Baggage — trunks, valises, bundles, and the like, taken on a Jour- 
ney and containing one's wardrobe, toilet conveniences, etc. ; 
luggage. 

Baggage examiners' uniform — see Custom's officers' u. 
Bagged — tailoring term indicating that the edges of a coat were 
sewed by machine all around from the wrong side and then 
turned ; also that the lining of a coat was first fitted to the gar- 
ment in its several parts, then sewed up, after which it and the 
coat were sewed together inside out, except at the neck, much 
like a turn-sole shoe, and turned and presst, the neck being finisht 
by hand. 

Bagged — distended, bulged, misshapen, thru wear or neglect, as 
knees of trousers in need of pressing. 
Bags — slang for trousers. 

Baize — a plain-worn, plain-colored, slightly napt woolen fabric, 
formerly used for clothing, but now more coarsely woven and 
used for draperies, etc. 

Balance — the hang or drape of a coat. Compare Not balanced. 
Balance measure — tailoring term for a m. taken from the collar 
seam at back center, running in front of arm to back center at 
natural waist point. Not much in use at present. 
Balbriggan — trade term for unbleacht cotton underwear and 
hosiery; from Balbriggan, Ireland, where first made. 
Baldrick — a sash or belt, often richly ornamented, usually worn 
over the shoulder and diagonally across the breast, to support 
sword, bugle, powder flasks, etc. 

Baldy — a colloquial vulgarism for a bald-headed man. 
Bale — a bundle or package. 
Baleine — whalebone. 

Ball — the widest part of the foot, or of a shoe, or of the sole 
thereof; the tread. 

Ballet shirt — a plainly made, loose white cotton blouse, suscep- 
tible of being worn with almost any costume ; often made with a 
wide, turned down collar; a distinctiv garment for members of 
the chorus, male and female ; also called "chorus shirt". 
Balling— top making; one of the processes of manufacturing 
worsted yarn. See Tops. 

Balmoral — (i) a striped woolen stuff, heavy and durable; (2) a 
kind of Scotch cap; (3) a shoe lacing in front. See Laced shoe. 
Bals — trade diminutiv for balmoral, or laced shoe. 
Bamboo — a kind of reed-wood, hollow, and very light, but elastic 
and tough ; used for walking sticks, baskets, etc. 
Band — a trimming or finishing part of a garment or other article 
of dress, usually a strip of material sewed into place. 



Ban 21 Ban 

Band bow — a ready-made bow tie with a band passing around 
the collar and fastening at some point, usually at the back. 
Band box — a light paper or wooden b., round, square or oval, 
used for carrying or storing hats, millinery, etc. ; so called be- 
cause used for bands and ruffs in 17th century. 
Band teck — a ready-made neck scarf for wear with lay-down 
collar. See Band bow and Teck. 
Band top — the welted wrist finish of a glove. 
Band uniforms — (army) the general uniforms of their regiments 
or corps, with allowable ornaments to the dress and full-dress 
uniforms of officers ; black lynx-skin shakos with plume and 
tassel of color of corps or arm of service, with leather chin- 
straps with brass scales and side-buttons, for drum-majors on 
full-dress occasions; those for cavalry drum-majors being smaller 
than those for other arms ; batons as per pattern, with silk cords 
and tassels of color of corps or arms of service for dismounted 
drum-majors only; those with mounted bands carrying sabers; 
belts, chevrons, stripes, etc., as per regulations. 
Bandage — a temporary article of attire locally bestowed; a sur- 
gical dressing. 

Bandana — a large, bright-colored handkerchief with spots or fig- 
ures kept free from dye by local pressure in the dying process, 
or as in later use freed by chemical extraction or bleaching. 
Originally a Hindustani mode of dyeing in which hard knots 
were tied in the cloth before dipping. When opened the fabric 
has a speckled appearance, the dye having left the tied parts free 
from color. See Extracted and Batik. 
Bandboxy — neat, smart, newish. 

Banded turban — a plain-sided, plain-topt cap with a pull-down- 
and-roll-up band. 

Banding — in shirt collar making the process of sewing the b., 
if there is one, to the collar proper; also applied to sewing of 
cuffs. 

Bandmaster's uniform — (navy) see Dress, Undress, Working 
dress, and variations. 

Bands — (1) the collars or ruff's of 16th and 17th centuries; (2) 
the linen strips or tabs pendant from the front of a clerical or 
academical collar or neck-dressing. 
Bandsmen's full dress coat — (navy) see Full dress c. 
Bandsmen's helmet — (navy) black, the same as for enlisted men 
of the marine corps, including spike, spike-base and chin strap, 
with device of the service, etc. 

Bandsmen's trousers — (navy) for bandmaster, of skyblue cloth, 
cut with medium spring, side pockets, with a welted edge stripe 
of scarlet cloth 1 in. wide down the outer seams ; for musicians, 
the same except with a 3-16 in. welt of scarlet cloth. 



Ban 22 Bar 

Bandsmen's uniform — (navy) see Dress, Undress, Working 
dress; (marine corps) Special full dress, Full dress, Undress; 
(army) Full dress, Dress u., White u., Service u., Fatigue u. 
Also variants. 
Bang up — first-rate. 

Bangs — a fringy feminin way of dressing the front hair; Ann 
Arbor boys once astonisht a respectable nation by their adop- 
tion. See also portraits of William Walter Phelps and Elihu 
Root. 

Banian — a sailor's colored frock. Probably a similar garment as 
described in banyan (qv). 
Bankrupt — can't pay. 

Bannockburn — a sort of tweed (qv) from a town of that name 
near Glasgow, Scotland ; also variously applied to fancy suitings 
made elsewhere in England and America. 

Banyan — an oriental style of neglige gown, not unlike a kimono, 
much affected in colonial days, often very elaborate in material, 
color and trimmings ; a dressing gown. 

Baptismal gown — a plain g. without collar and with wide- 
open flowing sleeves, of black serge or cord or waterproof stuff. 
Baptismal pants — (ought to be called b. trousers) a variety of 
rubber wading p., (ought to be called w. trousers) with attacht 
boots, worn just once by those whose faith is in baptism by 
immersion — but of course oftener by the officiating clerygyman. 
Baptismal sleeves — of gossamer rubber, for covering and pro- 
tecting the coat sleeves under the gown. 

Bar end — trade term for button-holes finished with a straight 
tack or bar at right angles to the opening; most used in the collar 
trade. See below. 

Bar tack — an ornamental strengthening finish at the ends of 
pockets, vents, etc. See B. t. stitch and Crowsfoot. 
Bar tack stitch — in staying the ends of pockets, several long per- 
pendicular stitches are first taken at the ends to be protected ; 
then these are tackt down to the cloth at intervals by crosswise 
stitches and finally smoothly covered on themselves, by closely 
laid over-and-under stitches of the thread. 
Barathea — general name for armure weave silk. 
Barber — a human talking machine. 

Barber's coat — a short jacket worn by barbers while at work; 
usually of white duck (tho sometimes black Venetian or alpaca), 
commonly single-breasted with gilt buttons. 
Bareface finish — weaving term indicating that the nap is sheared 
off completely. Compare dress faced, Scotch f., Velvet f. 
Barefoot sandals — a name sometimes given to sole leather s. 
worn by small children, sometimes with stockings, but more 
properly with barefeet, heelless, fastened with straps and usually 
having cut-out designs in front. Also called scrappers. 



Bar 23 Bas 

Bargain — "at a good bargain pause awhile", especially in these 

latter days. 

Bark — see Tanbark. 

Barker — a gent who stands outside of cheap clothing shops of 

the Baxter street type to "persuade" (any way) passers-by to 

enter and purchase ; a type of worker higher toned merchants are 

endeavoring to suppress. 

Barlow — the single-bladed jacknife we thought the world of 

when we were kids. 

Barndoor trousers — vernacular for front-falls (qv). 

Baroque pearl — an irregular shaped fresh water p. 

Barrackan — in Mediterranean countries a camels-hair cloth for 

men's wear; in England a sort of moleskin; same as barragon 

(qv). 

Barracks shoes — (army) for enlisted men; of brown cotton duck; 
worn in barracks only. 

Barragon — a light-weight corded woolen stuff (of about 1750) 
originally of camels-hair. Probably same as barrackan (qv). 
Barrel — the knot of a folded four-in-hand, teck or similar scarf. 
Barrel top — trade term for trunks made with a convext top. 
Barring — a method of re-enforcing or strengthening certain 
points in the upper of a shoe by peculiar stitches inserted where 
desired by a b. or stitching machine, the b. or re-enforcing stitches 
being located mostly at the point in the upper where the vamp 
and top and tongue come together at the so-called throat point 
of the shoe. The corners of a blucher shoe where they lap onto 
the vamp are re-enforced by extra stitching called b. ; also Ox- 
ford shoes at the top of the heel seam are usually re-enforced 
either by this method or an extra piece of leather. 
Barrow coat — a garment made for us before we are born — a good 
example of readymade guess-fits ; specifically a square or oblong 
piece of flannel, gathered at one end into a band, wrapped around 
an infant's body below the arms, the loose hanging part being 
turned up around the feet; also called Pinning blanket. 
B'ar's grease — once a popular hair slickener. 

Barvell — a coarse leather apron used by workmen and fisher- 
men; name practically obsolete. 

Baseball — a periodical deterrent of attention to business ; a sum- 
mer complaint afflicting the boss quite as seriously as the office 
boy, who is especially subject to all influences of this sort. 
Baseball gloves — stout g. of various shapes worn by baseball 
players. 

Baseball mask — a sort of birdcage worn by catchers and umpires 
as a protector of pulchritude. 



Bas 24 



Bat 



Baseball shoes— soft leather or canvas s., three-quarters high, 
laced well down to the toes, with low heels and with metal 
plates, spikes or cleats on soles and heels for safety and surety 
in running. 

Baseman's mitt — a sort of cushioned leather mitten used in play- 
ing baseball — of course ! 
Basillard — an old term for a poniard. 

Basket cloth — c. woven in imitation of interlaced or plaited 
basket or straw work; an effect produced solely by disposition 
of warp and weft threads and not by colors of the yarn. See 
B. weave. 

Basket hilt — a wide guard or cover continued up the hilt of a 
cutlas, protecting nearly the whole hand from injury. 
Basket weave — a plain w. in which two or more threads in both 
the direction of warp and of filling are found together, giving a 
coarser appearance of weave as if squared or plaited. 
Bastard — any fabric woven in imitation of better and more ex- 
pensiv goods. 

Baste — to sew loosely together or fasten temporarily in place 
with long irregular stitches. 

Basting puller — in clothing manufacture a workman (either gen- 
der) who does nothing but draw out threads. 
Basting stitches — temporary s. holding two or more pieces of 
material together until the work is done. Usually a long run- 
ning stitch or a slight side stitch. 

Bastings — left in a garment are said by the drivelly facetious to 
mean that you have not paid the maker's bill. 
Bat (to) — a process of cleansing soiled linen by beating, and not 
by rubbing as is usual with most laundresses. 
Bat bag — a b. of canvas, leather or both, for carrying baseball 
bats. 

Batavia — see Armure. 

Bath coating — "like Mr. Brummel wears"; term not now in use 
and the particular goods not identified. 

Bath mat — a rug of heavy cotton terry or rag carpeting for the 
bather to stand on after emerging from tub. 
Bath mitten — a m. of knitted wool, terry toweling, etc., for bath- 
ing purposes. 

Bath robe — a long gown for wear between bath-room and dress- 
ing-room, also for bed-room lounging. 

Bath sheet — an extra large bath towel used as a towel or as a 
substitute for the bath robe. 

Bath slipper — a s. with sole and vamp, but no counter or heel, 
the vamp usually of material used for bath robes ; a mule. 
Bath strap — see Rubbing s. 
Bath towel — a large t. of cotton or linen terry. 



Bat 25 Bea 

Bathing belt — a b. of canvas or other suitable material with 
which modestly to sustain one's bathing trunks. 
Bathing suit — knee tights and a long sleeveless shirt ; also a simi- 
lar one-piece garment; usually made of knitted cotton or worsted. 
Bathing trunks — a tight-fitting knitted garment covering the per- 
son from the waist to the upper part of the thighs. 
Batik — name given to results in dyeing by which the pattern or 
design is in black or of different color or colors than the ground 
color, achieved in many ways, as (1) mordanting, (2) bleaching, 
(3) acid treatment, (4) tying and drying, (5) wax overlays, etc. 
Name properly designates only the primitiv East Indian proc- 
esses. See Bandana, Crossdye, Extracted, Resist dye, etc. 
Bating — a process in the preparation of leather following upon 
that of liming, for the purposes of reducing swellings or thicken- 
ings and for cleansing of grease or other impurities, dog's dung 
and warm water being the agents mostly employed. 
Batiste — a fine linen or cotton cloth similar to lawn or cambric. 
Batten — in weaving the motion of pushing one weft thread up 
close to that one previously thrown in. 

Batting — cotton or wool prepared in sheets for quilting or inter- 
lining. See Padding. 
Batts — laced low-shoes ; term obsolete. 

Batwing — a shaped tie for wear with highhanded folded collars. 
Baudekin — a silk-and-gold fabric of the middle ages. 
Baum wolle — German for "vegetable wool" or, in plain English, 
cotton. Fonetically used by irreverent salesmen in cheap cloth- 
ing establishments and by knowing customers in the sense of 
"bum wool". 

Baxter street — a street in New York city once famous for its 
small Hebrew clothing shops and their rather peremptory ways 
of inducing customers to step inside and purchase; a synonym 
for cheap clothing and disreputable methods. 
Bay rum — an aromatic toilet water on which the barber makes 
a corking profit. 

Bayadere — weaving term for stripes running across the fabric 
from side to side. 

Beach robe — a sort of dressing gown for wear over bathing 
clothes, constructed of light material, usually like an ulster over- 
coat in style. 

Beachman — a person on the coast of Africa who acts as inter- 
preter to shipmasters and assists them in conducting trade. 
Beading — see Heel seat wheeling; also Wheeling. 
Beam — a horizontal cylindrical bar, in a loom, upon which warp 
or woven goods are wound. 



Bea 26 Bed 

Bear — a large plantigrade ursoid carnivore, especially of the 
genus Ursus, the pelts of which are used for driving coats, coat 
linings, gloves, carriage robes, etc. 
Beard — stubble, toughest in illness. 

Beards — envied by men who can't grow them ; variously known 
as Vandyke b., English b., hammer b., cathedral b., mouse eaten 
b., pique-divant b., Methodist b., spike b., parted b. — but you'd 
better read Planche, Earle, et al., or see a barber. 
Bearing cloth — a christening robe, usually richly embroidered. 
Bear's grease — hair-slobber stuff. 

Bearskin — (1) the fur headdress of the footguards of the British 
army; (2) vernacular for the tall fur cap or shako worn by drum- 
majors for feminin envy and conquest ; (3) a shaggy woolen 
stuff for outer wear; (4) a coat or robe made of the skin of a bear. 
Beating the booby — (nautical) swinging the arms from side to 
side to create a warmth by accelerating the circulation of the 
blood. 

Beatty cape — a measuring and drafting device for tailors (from 
name of inventor). See Measuring c. 

Beau — a man devoted to the care and adornment of his person 
and to matters of social etiquet ; a dandy, a fop, a lady's man. 
Beau monde — the fashionable world. 
Beau peruke — see Wig. 

Beauty sleep — such sleep as one can get before midnight. 
Beaver — a heavy, double-woven, smooth-faced woolen overcoat- 
ing, woven with two sets of wefts, face and back, the former of 
the finer wool, fulled, napt and sheared to a high degree, produc- 
ing a smooth, close, dense surface ; the back usually finisht with 
a loose, soft nap. The range of quality from finest to coarsest is 
very great. In general, resembling Kersey, tho less firm. 
Beaver — a sort of flat-lying heavy silk plush used for a chapeaux 
and formerly for those famous plug hats of "the good old days". 
Beaver — nowadays slang for any tall hat of silk or felt ; less than 
100 years ago a tall hat of heavy napt plush ; originally any hat 
made of beaver fur. 

Beaver — a movable piece of armor, attacht to the helmet, cov- 
ering the lower part of the face. 

Beaver — a casteroid rodent whose pelt is largely used in the 
manufacture of fur garments, hats, etc. 

Beaverteen — a heavy twilled solid color cotton fabric, a sort of 
fustian, napt on the back, shorn after being dyed ; used for hunt- 
ing garments. 

Bed canopy — a drapery of mosquito netting. 
Bed pocket — an ornamental bag or pouch for watch, handker- 
chief, dope, etc., hung at the head of the bed ; not in widespread 



Bed 27 Bel 

Bed slippers — ungainly things of very warm material worn by 
persons of poor circulation. 
Bed socks — for cold feet. 

Bedeck — to cover with ornaments or adorn — oh, vanity! 
Bedford cord — a worsted fabric with heavy rounded ribs or 
cords running in the direction of the warp ; a favorit cloth for 
riding trousers, livery wear, etc. 

Beetling — a mechanical process for soft-finishing certain kinds 
of cotton and linen goods. 

Beige — (1) the color of undyed, unbleacht wool; (2) a light 
weight, plain fabric of such wool; also called debeige. 
Bell — see Flare, also Spring. 

Bell — the side of a cap, especially of uniform style. 
Bell bottoms — vernacular for sailor's wide-mouthed trousers. 
Bell-mouth — flared at the opening, as sailor's trousers, bell- 
sleeves, etc. 
Belled— flared. 
Belled-skirt — a flaring s. 

Bellows pocket — an outside or patch p. made with an extension 
strip or bellows-fold around sides and bottom, making such p. 
larger and more capacious than the flat patch p., and especially 
adapted to shooting or hunting jackets. A variety of bellows p. 
is made by means of an open box plait in the center thereof, per- 
mitting stuffing. 

Bellows suit case — a s. c. (qv) having one or both sides bel- 
lowed by means of extendible folds for extra capacity. 
Bellows tongue — a t. fastened to both sides of the opening in a 
laced shoe and not left free as ordinary tongues. 
Belly button — not an article of apparel. 
Belly doublet — a d. covering the belly. 

BeUyband — a band of woolen or silk material worn by babies. 
Belongings — synonym for "property", in which sense it is a 
survival of old English usage; often employed as euphemism 
for "trousers" by the prudishly inclined. 

Belt — (1) a band or girdle of leather or other material, worn to 
sustain trousers in place without the aid of suspenders; (2) a 
b. worn with uniforms in army, navy, police and fire departments, 
and by various societies, for dress, for carrying sword, club, etc. ; 
(3) a sash or band, more or less ornate, worn by pugilists to 
awe each other and mark the line between fair and unfair 
punches. See Championship b. 

Belt loops — 1. or straps sewn at intervals around the waist band 
of trousers, for the insertion and holding in place of a belt, the 
object being to sustain the trousers without the use of sus- 
penders. 



Ben 28 Bic 

Bench — (1) a table that journeymen tailors squat upon while 
working; (2) a small table or stand holding a shoemaker's tools. 
Bench-made — a term used to describe "bespoken", as the Eng- 
lish call it, or custom hand-made shoes. Before the advent of 
machinery, when shoes were all made by hand, the workmen 
sat along on benches and each workman made a complete shoe, 
performing all the operations. They were, therefore, called 
b-m. and the term today is used to designate hand-made or cus- 
tom-made shoes as compared with factory or all-machine-made 
shoes. 

Bend — leather trade term for the hinder-part of the hide, used 
especially in connection with sole leather, this particular portion 
being the firmest, toughest, closest-fibered part. 
Bengaline — general term for silk and woolen fabrics with a 
repp or corded effect produced by using a heavy, soft-spun 
woolen (or cotton) weft closely covered in the weaving with 
the silk (or wool) warp threads so as not to be exposed when 
finisht ; also woven with wide, irregular or knobby ribs (especi- 
ally in silk). 

Benjamin — an overcoat once fashionable in England, invented 
by a tailor of that name. 
Benny — slang for overcoat. 

Benzine — good to eradicate grease spots. See Slob. 
Berretta — see Biretta. 

Berlin — trade term for fabric gloves of cotton in contradistinc- 
tion to gloves of silk, lisle or wool. 

Berlin toe — in shoemaking one of the many names for a narrow 
toe. 

Bespoke — "English" for clothes tailored to order. 
Best seller — that which makes the most profit for the dealer 
and, usually, shows the poor taste of his customers. 
Betrothal ring — a r. that sometimes comes back. 
Betweens — see Needle. 

Bezel — a facet of a gem ; a seal, as of a ring, fob, etc. ; a flat en- 
graved gold seal. 
Bias — diagonally. 
Bib — a drizzle shield. 

Bib top — trade term applied to overalls made with a sort of 
apron partially covering the breast. 

Bicycle hose — stout woolen or cotton stockings, knee length or 
longer. 

Bicycle shoe — a high or low s., with front lacing nearly to the 
toe, and with a low heel, the inner corner of which is beveled 
off to prevent contact with pedaling gear. 
Bicycle stocking — same as b. hose. 
Bicycle tights — just t., but quite heavy. 



Bic 29 Bla 

Bicycle trousers — knickerbockers with re-enforced seats. 
Bi-focal spectacles — s. the lenses of^ which have a smaller lense 
adhering to the larger, permitting different ranges of vision. 
Compare Compound s. 

Bifurcated — divided from a point into two divisions — trousers, 
for instance. 

Bilbo — an old term for a flexible kind of cutlas from Bilboa, 
where the best Spanish sword blades were made. 
Bilboes — bolts and shackles used by the Spanish to confine the 
legs of prisoners. 
Biled rag — see Boiled shirt. 

Bill — generally an unwelcome reminder of a thoughtlessly in- 
curred obligation. 

Bill book — a wallet for banknotes and papers. 
Billy — a thug's sleep producer. 

Billycock — Briticism for a bowler or derby (hat), which see 
(corrupted from William Coke, Earl of Norfolk, who introduced 
the hat to popularity.) Also see Bowler. 
Billygoat whiskers — long, spiky chinbeard. 

Binding — any tape or braid used to secure or decorate the edges 
of a garment or any article of apparel. 
Birdcage — slang for umpire's mask. 

Birdseye — a small diamond-shaped pattern or effect ; name given 
to various clear-finisht fabrics so woven ; armor. 
Biretta — a square cap of silk or velvet with three ridges extend- 
ing outward from the center of the top or four in case of doctors 
of divinity; also worn by the Anglican and Lutheran ministry, 
the latter being much plainer. A smoking cap is also so-called. 
Birthday attire — ideal for hot weather. 
Birthday suit — public display punishable by fine. 
Bishop — trade term for extra-length overcoats for tall men. 
Bishop's lawn — a variety of lawn (qv) originally made for cler- 
ical vestments. 

Bit — I2y 2 cents; a shilling; two-bits, 25c; six-bits, 75c, etc. 
These expressions are still used in the southwest. 
B. L. — overheard by bowlegged men on being measured for 
trousers. 

Black amber — jet (qv). 

Black cap — (1) a plain black silk cap assumed by judges of some 
criminal courts when pronouncing sentence of death ; (2) a sort 
of bag covering the entire head of the condemned, rendering him 
semi-oblivious of his surroundings immediately prior to strangu- 
lation. 

Blacking set — a box or stand containing shoe polishing materials. 



Bla 30 Bli 

Blacksnake — a tapering, flexible whip of black leather, used by 
carters and sometimes on unruly urchins ; name from resem- 
blance to a blacksnake. 

Blade — the standing portion of a folded (shirt) collar; more par- 
ticularly the ends that meet in front. 
Blade — the shoulder b. See B. measure. 

Blade measure — in tailoring a measure taken from middle of 
back to front of arm acye at level thereof under the arm. 
Blanket — a sheet of loosely woven heavy woolen cloth, or wool- 
and-cotton, usually with a nap, used for a bed-covering, a gar- 
ment, or to cover a horse. 

Blanket — in textil designing an experimental strip or length of 
fabric (usually 1 to 2 yards), made up of anywhere from 2 to 100 
or more variations of a design or designs, ranging from dark to 
light color effects, changes of color being accomplisht in the 
loom by changing the shuttles after every few inches of each 
sample. These "blankets" are passed upon by designers and 
stylists to determin the particular patterns to be adopted ; 
often not over 4 or 5 are chosen from a large b. 
Blanks — in button making the discs of ivory or other material 
not pierced or colored. 

Blarney — idle discourse; obsequious flattery. 
Blarney tweed — an unusually fine grade of tweed suitings manu- 
factured by Mahoney Bros., a famous mill in the north of Ire- 
land. (Mahoney pronounced Marney.) 
Blather — idle nonsense. 

Blazer — a light unlined summer coat, most frequently of flannel, 
and in bright parti-colors. 
Bleach — see Bleaching. 

Bleachery — a place where textil fabrics are bleacht, whether by 
chemical processes or by exposure on a lawn. 
Bleaching — any process of freeing textil fabrics or fibers from 
their natural color; or whitening. 
Bleaching powder — usually or largely chlorin. 
Bleacht muslin — whitened ; usually of finer weave than un- 
bleacht or brown m. (Bleached.) 

Blended — furrier's term for furs so arranged as to form a sort 
of shaded pattern. 
Bliaus — early spelling of blouse. 
Blind edge — see Plain e. 

Blind eye — a strongly workt but nearly invisible silk loop or 
eye used in connection with hooks for fastening garments, pref- 
erable to more conspicuous metal eyes or catches. 
Blind fly — a placket fastening, the outer edge of which is closed 
instead of open as in the ordinary trousers f. ; mostly used on 
overcoats and also known as box f. and French f. See Fly. 



Bli 31 Bio 

Blind pocket — any concealed p. ; oftenest a small p. on the inside 
of the waistband of the trousers — perhaps less as a protection 
against footpads than one's wife. 

Blind stitch — to s. in such a way that the stitches don't show. 
Bliss tweeds — peculiar sort of t., slightly resembling whipcord, 
made by Wm. Bliss & Sons, Chipping Norton, Eng., rated the 
finest known and extensivly employed for fine livery and stable 
wear. 

Block — see Tailor's b. 

Block — the general style, lines, dimensions, etc., of a hat. 
Block patterns — tailoring term for (1) conventionalized patterns 
used by tailors as a working basis, individual differences being 
added or subtracted as necessary; it is claimed that as perfect 
fitting garments are produced this way as by drafting separately 
— and many more of them per day; (2) similar patterns used by 
clothing manufacturers, from which no variations are made, the 
style being as per pattern, and sizes being conventionalized — 
necessarily. A method of garment drafting based on the prin- 
ciple that like causes produce like effects, which is to say, a 
pattern having fitted one man of a given size and attitude, it 
would fit any other man of identical proportions and posture; 
and by proper variation, as required, would fit a man differing in 
some respect, thus saving a special drafting. Block p. are in 
wide use at the present day as time savers, a complete range of 
sizes for each style of garment usually being carried. 
Block toes — in shoemaking, t. made with stiffened leather, so as 
not to crease. 

Blocking — a process in hat manufacture wherein the sized cones 
are given shape, the crowns and brims being carefully stretched 
and blocked out. 
Blood — a gallant. 

Blood — the finest wool is that of full-blooded merino sheep ; the 
terms ^-b., Y%-b., Y^-b., etc., refer to that standard and are 
coarser in a descending scale. See Wool. 

Bloody shirt — fortunately not a washable article, but a term of 
reproach reminiscent of Civil War amenities. 
Bloom — the lustrous effect given to broadcloth, alpaca and other 
fabrics by pressing. 

Bloomers — Zouave trousers appropriated by women during the 
late bicycle craze. 

Blouse — (1) a short, loose shirt or frock, usually of linen or cot- 
ton, with or without belt; (2) a loose jacket or body coat, of 
military wear; (3) the characteristic garment of Chinamen — 
need a description? 
Blouse collar — same as Prussian c. 



Bio 32 Boa 

Blow of cotton — a Southern phrase, employed when the pods of 
the cotton plant burst ; from the old English "blowth", a blos- 
soming. 

Blucher — a peculiar style or pattern used in cutting the upper 
of a laced shoe — having tops lapping together at the throat and 
not joined together as in plain lace shoes. 

Blue — the color supposed to exercise a gracious influence over 
the budding destinies of, and to be especially becoming and ap- 
propriate to, boy babies as, conversely, pink is for girls. 
Blue — see Wool. 

Blue book — broadly, a directory of les noveaux riches. 
Blue dress coat — (navy) for chief petty officers, except band- 
masters, a 4-button double-breasted sack coat of dark blue cloth 
with 3 outside pockets (2 lower, 1 breast) with flaps, the coat 
worn buttoned ; for officers' stewards and officers' cooks, the 
same except with black buttons instead of gilt. 
Blue jackets — navy seamen as distinguisht from the marines. 
Blue pencil — supposed to be specially efficacious in marking down 
prices for a "sale". 

Blue undress coat — (navy) for chief petty officers except band- 
masters, same as blue dress c, but of flannel or serge. 
Blue working dress — (navy) see Working d. 
Bluestocking — not an article of attire, but a Bostonprig. 
Bluff edge — in tailoring a variety of plain e. (qv) not made by 
hand, but by first sewing the edges of garment together wrong 
side out, then turning and pressing flat without other finish ; a 
cheap substitute for felled or prickt edges (qv). 
Bluff tryon — not a real one, just a bluff. See Dummy t. (Tailor- 
ing term.) 

Blunderbuss — a short fire arm with a large bore and a wide 
mouth. 

Blunts — see Needle. 
Boarded calf — see below. 

Boarding — a term used in the leather trade, denoting a process of 
making leather supple and raising the grain after shaving, dye- 
ing, etc., by doubling it with the flesh side in and working the 
folds back and forth by a graining board. 
Boarding officer's uniform — see Custom officer's u. 
Boardwalk — the ocean promenade at Atlantic City, where, in 
season, and on Easter Sunday particularly, those who have them 
proceed to strut up and down showing off their new clothes. 
Boat cloak — a cape or mantle for use of (naval) officers in a 
(small) boat. 

Boater — British for the stiff, straight-brimmed straw hat known 
here as "yacht" shape. See Straw hat. 



Boa 33 Boo 

Boatswain's uniform — (navy) see Special full-dress, Full-dress, 
Dress, Undress, Service dress; (revenue cutter service) Full- 
dress, Service dress. See also variations. 
Bob — see Bob-wig and Wig. 

Bobbin — a slender spool or reel used in the shuttle of a loom, 
conveying the weft or filling. 
Bob-jerom — a bob wig. 

Bobtailed — short tailed — give it any application you fancy. 
Bob-wig — a small or medium size w. of the time of George II ; 
specifically, minor b.-w. and major b.-w., the latter with several 
rows of curls. 

Bodkin — a needle-like instrument for piercing holes in cloth, or 
for drawing tape thru hems, etc. 

Body-coat — a dress-c. ; an under-c. ; a close-fitting c. ; a livery c. 
Body-cover — cant for coat. 

Bogus — counterfeit or of inferior quality, as manipulated cloth. 
Boil out — trade term indicating the quality of a piece of goods, 
as "this will boil out", meaning if woolen, the goods will in the 
boiling potash test resolve into nothing without trace of cotton 
or similar non-boilable adulterant. See Boiling-o. test. 
Boiled off — commercial term for Shantung silk, to distinguish 
from silk "in the gum". 

Boiled shirt — inelegant for a white shirt with stiff linen bosom. 
Boiling-out test — a means employed to determin the quality of 
suspected woolen or silk fabrics, a piece of the goods being 
boiled in a solution of potash, in which the wool or silk is con- 
sumed, but any cotton therein remains. See also Acid t. and 
Cotton cheat. 

Bolt — a rolled or folded quantity of goods, of various yardage, 
according to the fabric or material. Cloth usually runs 40 to 60 
yards to the b. 

Bombast — cotton or other material of soft, loose texture, em- 
ployed for padding garments ; wadding. 

Bombazine — a light, plain woven fabric of silk warp and worsted 
weft, used for mourning. 

Bonbon — general trade term for fine lisle and balbriggan under- 
wear and hosiery manufactured by C. & G. Bonbon et Cie, 
Troyes, France; also C. Bonbon et Cie, Paris. 
Bone — journeyman tailors' term for a peculiar hard feeling 
noticeable in the handling of certain kinds of cloths, as heavy 
overcoatings and experienct especially in working the needle 
thru ; as, "it has a bone in it". 
Bonnet — a Scotch cap. 

Book muslin — a thin, glazed, starch-filled cotton fabric, often 
mechanically crinkled, used for cheap cap linings, etc. 
Boon — the woody core of flax. 



Boo 34 Bot 

Boot — a leather or other foot-covering differing from a shoe 

(qv) in that it reaches usually to the knee or above. In England 

the word boot is synonymous with our word shoe. 

Boot — a leather or rubber-cloth flap fastened to the front or 

dashboard of a carriage or coach and drawn up over the lap of 

the rider as a protection against rain, etc. 

Bootblack — an irreverent urchin who "shines" the fronts of your 

shoes, but forgets the heels. 

Boot-hook — an implement to pull boots on with. 

Boot-hose — spatterdashes ; stirrup h. 

Boot-jack — a wooden or metal contrivance for engaging the heel 

of a boot while the wearer drags himself out therefrom. 

Boot-last — same as b.-tree. 

Boot-lick — a flunkey ; a hanger-on ; one who cringes and flatters 

to obtain favors. 

Boot powder — powdered soapstone to make tight boots go on 

easier. 

Boot slippers — light, soft leather feet for wear inside of rubber 

boots. 

Boot-straps — the loops sewed in the back part of boots for the 

purpose of pulling them on. 

Boot stud — a small, steel roset having prominent sharp points 

at right angles to the back; used by golf players and others for 

surety of footing; 8 to 12 are required for a pair of boots, affixt 

by screws or cleats. 

Boot-tree — a stretcher for shaping boots when not in use. 

Bootee — an infant's knit woolen foot-covering. 

Bootmaker — Briticism for what we call shoe-maker. 

Boots — a servant, usually a boy or young man, at an inn, hotel, 

club, etc., who blacks boots and performs other small services 

for guests. 

Bosom — the front or display part of a shirt, specifically known 

according to style, shape, etc., as dress b., puff b., shield b., 

plaited b., etc. 

Botany — trade diminutiv for the line of cloths made by the 

Botany mills, Passaic, N. J. A peculiarity of these goods is that 

they closely approximate fine imported goods, being woven by 

German workmen (mostly) on imported German looms. 

Botch work — bungled. 

Bottle coat — a proprietary term for a certain style of form fitting 

overcoat. (1907.) 

Bottle nest — a leather case with 3 or 4 bottles snugly fitted ; for 

the spiritual refreshment of travelers. 

Bottom — trousers seat. 

Bottom facing — in tailoring the strip of goods turned up within 

or sewed on along the inside of a garment, as of a vest or coat. 



Bou 35 Box 

Boucie — an irregular curly-faced fabric, the effect being pro- 
duced by the use of a two-ply yarn in which one thread is wound 
around the other and drawn to make curls or loops at uneven 
distances; properly a rough, lobby, sort of "worsted cheviot", 
tho frequently made with a jersey or stockinet body. 
Boughten — past participle of "to buy", in which the archaic 
termination is still preserved ; like gotten, putten, etc., serving to 
distinguish shop-bought goods from home manufactures. 
Bound-edge — in tailoring, covered or bound with braid ; for this 
purpose edges of the garment itself are often left raw. See 
Flat-b., Half-and-half-b., Narrow-b. 

Bounder — English slang for one who dresses in bad taste, or 
whose manners, etc., are offensiv; a "cheap dude". 
Bouquet hole — the buttonhole in a coat lapel. 
Bourre — a sort of silk shoddy. 

Bourette — a woolen cloth with lumps or knobs at intervals over 
its surface, an effect produced by manipulation of warp and weft 
yarns before weaving. 

Bournous — a long woolen cloak with hood, worn by men in the 
Orient. 

Boutonniere — a little bunch of flowers ; the principal excuse for 
the lapel buttonhole. 

Bow — that part of a pair of spectacles clasping the temple or en- 
gaging behind the ear. 
Bow tie — a t. tied in a bowknot. 
Bowback — rather humped. 

Bowie knife — a long, formidable weapon, sometimes over a foot 
in length and two inches broad, worn by hunters and desper- 
adoes in the wilder and more unsettled parts of the Union. One 
kind is facetiously called Arkansas toothpick. The term "bowie" 
was derived from a notorious character, Colonel Jim Bowie. 
Bowk — a step in the process of cotton bleaching, being boiling 
in weak lye. 

Bowlegged — parenthetical. 

Bowler — the common English name for the derby hat, from the 
name of the hatter who invented it. See also Billycock. 
Box calf — a trademark or fancy name for boarded c. (qv). 
Box cloth — a superior quality of thick, heavy beaver c. of close, 
hard texture, fulled and milled until practically waterproof; 
similar to pilot c. and in appearance midway between melton 
and beaver, and not unlike kersey ; also called livery c. 
Box coat — (i) a short, loose-fitting top c. ; (2) a coachman's 
driving c, with or without cape. 

Box collar — a high-banded Prussian or military (coat) c. 
Box fly— see Blind f. 



Box 36 Bra 

Box-plait — a plait flattened with the stitching midway under- 
neath so that there is a leaf or fold on each side of the stitching. 
Compare One-way p. 

Box toe — having a stiff piece of sole leather inserted under the 
upper leather around the toe of a shoe to make it stand up as a 
solid protection for the human toes. 
Box waterproof — a coachman's mackintosh. 
Boxing glove — a padded leather mitten that can hurt. 
Boxy — loose fitting. 

Boy — the kid who is supposed to be everywhere and everything, 
and generally is, except when wanted. 

Brab — the sheaf of the young leaves of the Palmyra palm, from 
which "sennit" for hats is made. 

Braces — English for suspenders ; American for suspender-har- 
ness for correcting stoop-shoulders and other light deformities. 
Bradford system — weaving term for worsted yarns spun by a 
method carrying that name, (see textil encyclopedia) producing 
a harder yarn than by the French system (qv) of spinning on 
mules. 

Bradford yarns — see above. See also English y. 
Braid — a narrow textil band or tape formed by plaiting to- 
gether or crossing diagonally and lengthwise several threads of 
silk, cotton, mohair or other material, in a manner to achiev a 
certain width, style, pattern or effect, known in trade as silk b., 
mohair b., hercules b\, soutache b., flat b., half-and-half b., etc. 
Used for binding coat edges, etc., and decorativly, as in uni- 
forms. 

Braid combing — wool classification term. See Wool. 
Braided edges — see Bound e., Braiding, etc. 
Braided seam — a s. covered with braid laid on and stitched. 
Braiding — the process of forming tape or cord-like fabrics in 
which threads held longitudinally, are woven diagonally in-and- 
out of each other. 

Braiding — the act or operation of binding or decorating a gar- 
ment with braid. 

Brakeman's uniform — varies with different roads ; usually a sack 
suit of blue cloth, the coat being most frequently double-breasted 
with brass buttons; blue cloth cap. 
Brandenburgs — long, narrow, ornamental buttons of silk or 
wool on a wooden mold, used chiefly for military overcoats: 
also known as olives. 
Brass — impudent assurance. 

Brass buttons — slang for over-gaudy uniforms, livery, etc. 
Brass knuckles — see Knucks. 



Bra 37 Bre 

Brassard — (army, navy, etc.) (i) a band of white cloth usually 
about 4 in. wide, fastened around the upper part of the right 
sleeve, a red Geneva cross, 3 in. in hight and width, having arms 
I in. wide, stitched or painted upon it; (2) a similar band of 
black cloth or crepe worn for mourning. 

Brave — a swaggering fellow; a rowdyish gallant; a roystering 
fop. 

Bravery — elegance of attire; finery. 

Brazilian linen — a fiber obtained from a common South Ameri- 
can weed, possessing strength, fineness, flexibility and adapta- 
bility for bleaching, dyeing, etc., expected soon to be a popular 
substitute for flax in nearly all its uses. 
Breach — see Wool. 
Break — see Collar b. 

Break — trade term for tender wool that breaks when stretched — 
a defectiv condition caused by exposure, insufficient feeding, etc. 
Breakfast jacket — (1) a house coat; (2) a butler's morning coat. 
Breaking test — in general, linen fabrics are more difficult to 
break than those of cotton. The broken edge of linen shows 
threads that are long and irregular, the projecting fibers being 
parallel and lustrous. The broken edge of cotton cloth exhibits 
twisted threads, the fibers being uniform in length and dull in 
appearance. Practise further enables the operator to distinguish 
linen from cotton by the sound when the fabric is torn, linen 
emitting a shrill, and cotton a dull, sound. Furthermore, when 
a group of threads is quickly broken, the cotton threads twist 
around each other, while the linen threads hang straight. 
Breast — the front of the chest. 

Breast cord — (army) a decorativ loop of cord and tassels of mo- 
hair, of the color of the corps, department or arm of service, 
worn on the front of the dress coat of enlisted men, from left 
shoulder to below right arm; a variety of aigulet (qv). 
Breast of heel — (shoemaking) the back of the heel. 
Breast pocket — any p. inserted in or placed on the breast of a 
coat or vest, whether outside or inside, tho the latter are gener- 
ally so specified. 

Breast protector — a sort of inflated canvas-and-leather shield 
worn by baseball and cricket players, fencers, etc. 
Breech — see Wool. 
Breech cloth — better than nothing. 
Breech clout — same. 

Breeches — a shaped leg-covering reaching to the knee, closing 
snugly at that point with several buttons. Compare Knicker- 
bockers. See also Riding b. 

Breeches hooks — used in 18th century to suspend the tight, fash- 
ionable breeches of the times from the ceiling, the wearer mount- 
ing upon the steps and letting himself down in the garments. 



Bre 38 Bro 

Breeches tree — a wooden form for keeping coachmen's breeches 
in shape while not in use. 
Breeks — Scotch for breeches. 
Bretelles — French for suspenders or braces. 

Bricklayer's glove — a sort of leather mitten to which separable 
heavy leather tips are attacht by means of metal clips, the wrist 
having a resilient metal clamp. More loosely, any heavy work- 
ing glove. 

Bridgewater — a variety of broadcloth once manufactured at 
Bridgewater, England. 
Brigadier — see Wig. 

Brigadier general's uniform — (army) see Full dress, Dress u., 
White u., Service u. ; (marine corps) Special full dress, Full 
dress, Mess dress, Undress, Field dress. Also see variants. 
Bright — tailor's argot for any bright technical idea or suggestion. 
Brilliant — jeweler's term for a diamond of the finest cutting and 
quality; general slang for all diamonds and sparkling gems. 
Brilliant cutting — the most common style of diamond cutting, 
consisting of two pyramids joined at their bases, the upper one 
or crown being truncated to form the table, the lower or pavil- 
ion ending in a point called the collet. Compare Twentieth cen- 
tury c. 

Brilliant lisle — highly calendered. See Lisle. 
Brilliantine — a light, thin, plain woven and very lustrous fabric, 
similar to alpaca. See Mohair. 
Brim — the piazza part of a hat. 

Briolette — a diamond, generally pear or drop shaped, cut with 
angular or long facets. 
Britch — same as breach — a wool classification term. See Wool. 
British — trade term for unbleacht cotton hose. 
Broad bound — same as flat b. Compare Narrow b. and Half-and- 
half b. 

Broad goods — cloth wider than 29 in. 

Broad silks — trade term for woven silk fabrics for dress and 
lining purposes. 

Broadcloth — for men's wear, a high grade woolen cloth woven 
of the finest of felting wool, usually first dyed in the raw; the 
woven fabric is fulled to a considerable degree and slightly napt 
and sheared, then steamed, calendered and prest to add luster, 
the better grades being made with a twilled back. Broadcloth 
for women's wear is a lighter fabric and not so costly. Name 
originally used in contradistinction to Narrow cloth. 
Broadfalls — trade name for front fall trousers in which the front 
flap or fall extends from side to side or nearly to the pockets. 
See Fall bearer. Compare Narrow f. 



Bro 39 Bry 

Broadtail — apologetic term for the fur of the unborn lamb of the 
black Persian sheep of Russia; distinguisht from Persian lamb 
(qv) by the degree of mottling or moire effect of the rich black 
surface ; also called baby lamb. 

Brocade — a rich fabric of silk, cotton or wool (or combinations 
thereof, sometimes intermixt with tinsel) having a pattern in 
slight relief, produced by raising the threads of the warp or of 
the weft in the loom ; the patterns are mostly floral. 
Broche — a term signifying stitcht or embroidered, applied to 
fabrics worn with a raised design; having such appearance; a 
sort of brocade. 

Brodekin — a buskin or high boot (obsolete). 
Brogan — a coarse, heavy shoe fastened by side flaps buckled or 
laced over a short tongue or instep-piece ; forerunner of the 
modern Blucher shoe (qv). 

Brogue — (i) a rude shoe of untanned hide, (originally with the 
hair outside) tied with thongs, worn formerly in Ireland and 
the Scotch highlands. See Brogan. (2) Among seamen, coarse 
sandals made of green hide. 
Brogues — trousers (obsolete). 

Broken twill — one of the technical names for herringbone weave. 
Brooch — an ornamental article of jewelry fastened by means of 
a hinged pin ; a shawl-clasp. 

Broom brush — upper class tradesmen's term for whisk-broom. 
Brotus — the heaping up of a measure; what is thrown in to 
make sure of good weight. Used in Charleston, South Carolina, 
and exactly equivalent to the Gumbo-French word lagniappe of 
New Orleans. 
Brown — unbleacht. 
Brown — see Wool. 

Brown holland — plain, wide linen cloth, but slightly thickened; 
used for dusters, summer clothing, etc. 

Brown muslin — just as it leaves the looms; not bleacht; usually 
woven coarser than that intended to be bleacht. 
Brownies — diminutiv apron overalls for little tads of 3 years up. 
Brummagem — sham jewelry as originally made in Burming- 
ham, Eng. See Attleborough. 
Brunswick — union or part wool cassimere. 
Brush length — trade term for narrow width haircloth. 
Brushing — a polishing or finishing process in shoemaking, rap- 
idly revolving brushes made of bristles or soft pieces of cloth 
being used to polish and brush up the shoe as a final finishing 
operation. 

Brushing machine — (1) an apparatus for laying the nap on 
cloths, hats, etc. ; (2) an apparatus for dusting hats, shoes, etc. 
Bryks — breeches (obsolete). 



Buc 40 Bu 



■ 



Buck — a dandy. 
Buckeen — Irish dude. 

Bucket tops — top boots. See French falls. 

Buckle — a fastening device, in clothing used specially for tight- 
ening the waist of trousers, waistcoats, etc. 
Buckler — cant term for collar. 
Bucko — a dandy ; corruption of "buck". 

Buckram — a coarse, heavy, plain-woven linen or cotton material 
sized with glue, used for stiffening, as in coat fronts. 
Buckskin — a sort of doeskin or kersey, but stouter and with 
bolder, clearer twill, chiefly used for riding breeches, livery wear, 
etc. 

Buckskin — (1) soft sheepskin; (2 pi) breeches or trousers made 
of b. 

Buckskin — proprietary name for an improved sort of gum tissue 
for hems, seams, etc. 

Bucktails — a name given to the 13th Pennsylvania Reserves 
(also known as 1st Pennsylvania Rifles and Kane Rifles, from 
one of the commanders) famous thruout the Civil War for their 
rare fighting qualities and from the habit of the men of wearing 
a bucktail in their hats, which a Grand Army post of the sur- 
vivors perpetuates. 
Buff clothes — none at all. 

Buff coat — a jerkin or doublet of leather (?) worn by certain 
colonial troopers of 17th century. 
Buffalo — see B. robe. 

Buffalo cloth — a shaggy fabric woven in imitation of b. fur. 
Buffalo horn — trade term for buttons made of horn, bone, etc., 
in contradistinction to imitations thereof, distinguished by 
greater clearness and irregular markings of color. 
Buffalo robe — a rug or covering made of the hide with the hair 
on. More commonly called "buffalo". 
Bugazeen — an old term for calico. 

Bugs of Egypt — a style of waistcoat buttons popular in the early 
part of the last century; probably in imitation of scarabeii. 
Bull muck — in yarn spinning an expression meaning careless, 
slovenly making of unclean, tangled and otherwise imperfect 
"tops". (British.) 

Bulldog golf cap — a large g. c, setting well back on the head, 
with a visor dependent almost vertically. 

Bulldog toe — a very heavy broad toe ; a shoe style that was very 
popular some years ago and still obtains. 

Bullet-proof cloth — a fabric (recently invented by a German 
priest) of mysterious composition, quite thick and heavy, having 
the property of stopping shot and bullets fired at it ; various 
other similar fabrics have since been invented. 



Bui 41 Bur 

Bull's-wool-and-oakum — salesmen's slang term for very coarse 
clothing fabrics of inferior quality. 

Bullion — a slender barrel-shaped ornament of gold or silver wire 
or thread in coils, groupt to form tassels, as for chapeaux, etc. 
Bullion fringe — an ornamental fringe of heavy twisted cords cov- 
ered with gold or silver threads, used for uniforms, regalia, etc. 
Bumbershoot — vulgar for umbrella. 

Bumpers — metal corners used on trunks ; sole leather corners on 
hand luggage. 

Bumpkin — an awkward, provincial dude. 

Bunching — Briticism expressing a uniformity of appearance per- 
mitting two or more pieces of the same fabric to be sold as same 
shade or effect. Handspun and hand woven homespuns, for in- 
stance, cannot be buncht because of unevenness, but by the use 
of mill-spun yarn b. becomes possible. 
Bung — cant term for a purse or pocket. 

Bunion — in shoemaking, a specially comfortable shape of shoe, 
usually quite plain without tips, for tender feet with enlarged 
joints, etc. 

Bunk — a sleeping berth. 

Bunting — a light weight, plain woven woolen fabric of loose con- 
struction ; used for flags, and in a limited manner in men's wear. 
Burberry cheviot — a variety of wool c, twill woven in fancy pat- 
terns, used as a suiting. 

Burberry cloth — a medium to light weight waterproof fabric, of 
mercerized cotton warp and weft, with a fine round cord like 
repps, employed for automobile garments, raincoats, etc. A 
lighter weight fabric of the same class is known as Roseberry c. 
Bureau trunk — a t. opening on a diagonal line, setting flat 
against the wall, and composed of tray-compartments in tiers, 
suggesting a bureau when opened. 

Burgonette — an iron helmet or cap with neckpieces worn by 
French pikemen of 16th century. 
Burlaps — a sort of gunny sacking. 

Burning test — burnt ends of linen threads after the flame is ex- 
tinguish appear smooth and compact, while the fibers of cot- 
ton threads treated in the same way are spread out more or less 
in brush form. Wool and silk exhibit charred knobs. 
Burnishing — a finishing or polishing operation for completing 
the heels, bottoms and edges of a shoe. 
Burnt cork — used by minstrels to blacken the skin. 
Burring — in wool-cleansing the mechanical process of removing 
burs and other foreign substances from the fleece before the 
initial spinning process. Compare Carbonizing. 



Bus 42 But 

Busby — a tall fur cap, with or without a plume, and with a bag 
hanging from the top over the right side, worn by British hus- 
sars, artillerymen and engineers. 

Bushel — to alter, repair or remedy the fit of a garment. 
Bushel — a tailor's thimble. 

Bushelman — a tailor or workman who does alteration or repair 
work. 

Business coat — usually meaning a sack c. 

Business cutav/ay — see Morning frock c. ; English walking coat. 
Buskin — a sort of knee-length boot with leather sole and cloth 
leg; worn 17th and 18th centuries. 

Bust — properly, a glorious feminin physical development, but 
also used in a limited way as expressiv of a man's chest. 
Buster Brown — almost as distressing as Little Lord Fauntle- 
royism. 

Butcher's coat — a long frock worn by butchers and drivers of 
meat wagons ; usually of stout gingham, duck, etc. 
Butcher's linen — a stout, coarse, white 1. used for backing shirt 
bosoms, etc. 

Butler's livery — (morning) Tuxedo or breakfast jacket, low-cut 
waistcoat and trousers, white shirt, black tie, black shoes ; (even- 
ing) dress-coat, low-cut waistcoat, trousers, white shirt and white 
tie, black shoes. A fancy waistcoat is permissible with evening 
suit in clubs and hotels. 

Butt rest — a leather thingummy strapped across the body by 
lazy and weak salmon and tarpon fishers. 
Butteker — cant term for shop. 

Butterfly — a shaped tie for wear with folded collars. 
Butternut — the coarse brown homespun cloths and jeans woven 
prior to and during the Civil War, colored brown with a dye 
from the butternut tree. 

Button — a device for fastening or ornamenting articles of ap- 
parel, usually round, and designated in the trade according to 
composition, shape, style, purpose, etc., as silk braid b., mohair 
b., lasting b., cloth b., hard rim b., ivory b., rubber b., composi- 
tion b., bone b., pearl b., horn b., gilt b., etc. ; flat b., cup b., 
Yi, round b., y 2 round b., shank b., 2 hole b., 4 hole b., uniform b., 
pants b., vest b., coat b., overcoat b., etc. ; all of which see. 
Button board — a heavy brown paper or pulp b., used in filling 
the shells of covered buttons. 

Button flaps — trade term for buttoned f. over hip pockets in 
trousers. 

Button fly — tailoring term meaning a placket which conceals 
the buttons of the opposit side or part of the garment. 



But 43 Buz 

Button machine — a machine for making cloth covered buttons, 
operated by hand power. 

Button mold — a wooden shape to be covered with braid, cloth, 
etc. ; also often of metal. 

Button stand — an allowance or addition to the right forepart of 
a coat or vest for the sewing on of buttons, usually iy 2 inches on 
single-breasted coats and y of an inch on vests. 
Button-stay — a strip of linen canvas interplaced between cloth 
and lining for the purpose of giving strength for button stress. 
Button strap — a strip of thin leather or cloth stitcht to the inside 
of shoe-tops thru which, for greater strength, the buttons are 
sewed or attacht by patent fasteners. 

Button thru — said when a coat or other garment or part thereof 
is made without a fly and with buttonholes cut thru from face to 
back, the buttons, of course, showing — a labored explanation, 
but plain? 

Buttonhole — (i) a workt aperture to receive a button and fasten 
a garment ; (2) a fingering place for politicians and borrowers. 
Buttonhole chisel — a straight, thin steel tool with a wood handle, 
used for punching buttonholes thru many thicknesses of material. 
Buttonhole cutter — a device like a pair of pliers with a cutting 
blade for uniformly cutting buttonholes. 

Buttonhole making — the cut edges of the b. are first roughly 
overcast by plain or loopt stitch, fastening in place at the same 
time a cord or thread all around the cut opening, which is then 
finisht by close, even loopt stitches. On cotton and linen goods 
the cording is omitted. Of handmade buttonholes in tailoring 
there are several varieties, chief of which are the flat or satin 
stitcht b. and the gimp or coarse b. 

Buttonhole stitch — a regular close loopt s. used in garment mak- 
ing. See B. making. 

Buttonhole twist — a loose 8 strand, 3 cord silk thread that in 
working tightens up, making a firm, solid, durable buttonhole. 
See also Machine t. and Sewing silk. 

Buttonhook — a metal device for buttoning shoes without injury 
to fingernails and temper. 

Buttons — (1) a page's coat single-breasted, short, close fitting, 
with standing collar, closing with 19 buttons, whence name ; (2) 
the lad himself. 

Butts — cleaned and prepared hides, ready for tanning. 
Buyer — the head of a department in a large store who, of course, 
never knows as much as his clerks. 

Buzz-saw test — name given to a demonstration of the com- 
parativ composition of various makes of shoes, including their 
own, by the Regal Shoe Co., in which, usually in a show win- 
dow, numbers of shoes were sawed thru on a circular saw and 



Byr 44 Cad 

the edges exposed and otherwise explained to the spectators. 
The demonstration is understood to be protected under trade 
mark laws. 

Byron collar — name given to a lay-down shirt c, the fronts of 
which are not creased, but broadly and softly rolled ; much 
affected by artists and the Bohemian gentry. 
Byron roll — see above. 

By the candle — in old England a mode of auction by which peo- 
ple were allowed to bid during the burning of an inch of candle, 
the goods being knockt down after the light had gone out to the 
highest bidder. 



c 



Caba — a small traveling bag or valise ; nearly obsolete. 
Cabasset — a light morion or iron cap with a wide drooping brim, 
worn by French infantry of 16th century. 

Cabin bag — a hand-b. or valise with straight boxy sides, opening 
not from a center point, but from the sides at the roof angles, the 
two top parts coming together and clamping to form a cover. 
Cable seam — see Round s. 

Cable silk webbing — trade term for elastic w. woven with a 
roundish twill, an effect helpt by a twisted instead of flat silk 
thread. 

Cable yarn — y. twisted coarsely, like a rope. 

Cachemire — in textil designing, signifying Persian or other Ori- 
ental patterns. 

Cachi — a small, felt cap, in red, brown or white, surmounted 
with a tassel in a contrasting color, worn by Arabs — sometimes 
one on top of another or several others. See also Haik. 
Cacks — our first baby shoes. 

Cadet — (i) glove trade term for long fingers; (2) a shade of 
g rav ; (3) a student at a military school; (4) something worse. 
Cadet cloth — the standard blue-gray woolen uniform c. pre- 
scribed by the U. S. Military and Naval Academies and by vari- 
ous schools and institutions of similar character for cadet dress ; 
the color effect is usually a combination of indigo blue and white 
yarns. 

Cadet collar — a highhanded Prussian c. ; also called stand-and- 
fall c. 

Cadet overcoat — an outercoat that appeared during the winter 
of 1907-08; both single and double-breasted, buttoning to the 
throat, with a high Prussian collar. Also known as West Point 
o., army o., automobile o. 



Cad 45 Cal 

Cadet uniforms — (Annapolis) for Dress — a jacket resembling 
that of Special full dress (qv) of commissioned officers of the 
navy, except that it is cut Eton shape, without tails, with narrow 
braid on collar; dress trousers, dress cap and white gloves. Serv- 
ice dress — blouse resembling that of commissioned officers, 
waistcoat (optional), service trousers and dress cap. The trous- 
ers, both dress and undress, in general the same as for com- 
missioned officers, but cut higher in the waist and without 
pockets. Working dress for drill — canvas jumper and trousers, 
white hat or knit cap, as ordered, black silk neckerchief, jersey 
or sweater, all, in general, corresponding to similar articles worn 
by enlisted men. 

Cadet uniforms — (revenue cutter service) for Full dress — a 
single-breasted fly-front sack coat of dark blue cloth reaching to 
top of inseam of trousers, having a standing collar, the collar 
edges and side seams in back trimmed with lustrous black mo- 
hair braid, and with grade marks, devices, etc., as prescribed. 
For Service dress — a similar coat, omitting the sleeve ornaments 
and some of the braiding. Trousers of dark blue cloth, cut full 
in the legs without bottom spring, two hip pockets only; blue 
cloth waistcoat ; blue cloth cap ; blue cloth overcoat, with hood ; 
also the white u. and other garments as prescribed. 

Cadet uniforms — (West Point) for Dress — a gray cloth coatee, 
conforming closely to the shape of the wearer, single-breasted, 
with three rows of 8 gilt ball buttons in front and 12 on the skirts 
in rows of 3 ; standing collar with a ball button on each side, ball 
buttons on cuffs, the garment trimmed and decorated with black 
braid. For Undress or Fatigue — a single-breasted blouse with 
standing collar, fly front, trimmed with black braid ; insignia, 
etc., as per regulations. Trousers, in winter, gray cloth with a 
black stripe 1 in. wide down the sides ; in summer, white duck ; 
for riding, gray kersey riding trousers with brown canvas leg- 
gings. Overcoat, gray kersey, double-breasted, with stand-and- 
fall collar, 6 gilt buttons down each breast, 2 at hips and 1 on 
back plaits ; cape of same material. Badges, stripes, insignia, 
etc., as per regulations. 
Cady — a hat. 

Caftan — (1) a black garment almost identical with the Anglican 
cassock, worn by the Mohammedan priesthood ; (2) an under- 
coat having long sleeves and girdled with a sash, worn in Turkey, 
Arabia, Egypt, etc. 

Calendering — a mechanical process in cotton and linen finshing, 
imparting a smooth, even surface or gloss. 
Calfskin — a fine, durable shoe leather; often shortened to calf. 
Calico — a coarse printed cotton cloth ; used in the cheapest grade 
of shirts, etc. 



Cal 46 Can 

Callimanco — a glossy, woolen stuff, both plain and ribbed, very 
fashionable and much used up to Revolutionary times. 
Camblet — see Camlet. 

Cambric — (1) a fine, white linen fabric used for handkerchiefs, 
etc.; (2) a fine cotton fabric in imitation of linen; (3) also a 
heavier glazed cotton lining material. 
Cambric — see Ramie. 

Camelshair — the fine, wooly hair from the neck and back of the 
camel. 

Camelshair cloth — a thick, soft, shaggy material, usually woven 
like cheviot, having long hairs intersperst over its surface. 
Camisol — (1) a kind of jacket or under-waistcoat without 
sleeves; (2) a kind of straight-jacket (qv) with long sleeves 
which may be tied behind the sufferer's back. 
Camlet — a stiff, closely woven fabric having a wavy surface, 
nearly waterproof, originally worn of camelshair (whence 
name) but now mostly of Angora wool, silk and wool, or wool 
and cotton or linen ; once largely used for cloaks ; best known in 
17th and 18th centuries. 

Camlet yarn — a y. made in Turkey from the long, silky hair of 
the Angora goat ; also called Turkish y. 
Camleteen — a worsted camlet ; an imitation camlet. 
Camletto — see Camleteen. 

Campaign wig — supposed to be a simplification of the pompous 
peruke (which had become exceedingly arrogant in the time of 
William and Mary) yet really quite a pretentious affair, tho 
worn for traveling and for undress. 

Campbell stitcht — refers to one of many processes in modern 
mechanical shoemaking. 
Camphor — bad for moths. 
Camping shoe — see Moccasin s. 

Cancellations — the negativing or voiding of orders given ; a mat- 
ter of diplomatic difference between mills and manufacturers, 
et al. 

Cane — a walking stick. 
Cannon pocket — oh, murderous hip p. ! 

Canoe carrier — a pneumatic cushion somewhat like a life pre- 
server to prevent canoes shifting and chafing whilst en portage. 
Canonical inch — the inch or so of hair, continuing down in front 
of the ears, affected as whiskers by Anglican clergymen. 
Canonicals — clergymen's officiating clothing as prescribed by 
canon. 

Cantab — a variety of thin leather used for suspender ends. 
Canteen — a drinking flask, usually worn slung by a strap from a 
shoulder. 



Can 47 Car 

Canton flannel — a stout twilled cotton cloth with a dense nap on 
one side, largely used for underwear. Also made with a nap on 
both sides. 

Cantsloper — a sort of mackintosh or weather-coat of Colonial 
days. 

Canvas — (i) a coarse, plain- woven fabric of linen or cotton, used 
both bleacht and unbleacht, for tropical clothing, yachting wear, 
shoes, etc., etc. ; (2) also a stiffening material, usually unbleacht, 
used in tailoring. See Elastic c. 

Canvasers — in ready-to-wear clothing manufacture workmen 
who baste canvas interlinings, padding, etc., into place in the 
shells (of coats) as received from the closers (qv). 
Cap — a covering for the head, of various shapes and materials, 
less formal than a hat. 

Cap — in shoemaking, the same as tip (qv). 
Cap-a-pie — thoroly equipt from head to foot. 
Cap device — an insignia of rank, etc., worn in uniform caps. 
Cap-of-maintenance — an ornamental and ceremonial c. of scarlet 
velvet and ermine borne before kings of England at their corona- 
tion; also before the mayors of some British cities on similar 
occasions. 

Cape — (1) a circular covering for the shoulders; (2) the inside 
yoke of a coat, formed of the lining. 

Cape Ann hat — same as Squam h., except the crown is soft in- 
stead of stiff. 

Cape Ann suit — a s. of oiled or painted waterproof material worn 
by fishermen, sailors, et al., consisting of a coat buttoning or 
clasping close to the throat with a laid-over fly, overalls and a 
sou'-wester hat of same material. 

Cape cap — a c. commonly of rubber, with visor and deep apron 
covering head, neck and shoulders. 

Cape coat — an overcoat with a cape and with or without sleeves. 
See also Inverness. 

Capeskin — trade name for cape goat-skin, used for gloves. 
Capote — a hooded coat or cloak ; a military overcoat. 
Captain's uniform — (army) see Special full dress, Full dress, 
Dress, Service Dress, Evening dress, Mess dress, Undress ; 
(marine corps) Special full dress, Full dress, Mess dress, Un- 
dress, Field dress ; (revenue cutter service) Full dress, Dress, 
Service dress, Social full dress. See also variations thereof. 
Capuchin — see next. 

Capuchon — a hood attacht to an overcoat or ulster 
Caracul — Astrakhan fur (qv). 

Carat — (1) a twenty-fourth part, used to express the fineness of 
alloyed gold, as 18 c. is 18/24 ( or H) P ure g°ld; 24 c. pure or 
unalloyed ; (2) a unit of weight for precious stones ; the inter- 
national c. is 3.168 grains or 205 milligrams. 



Car 48 Cas 

Carbonized wool — see below. 

Carbonizing — a chemical process of removing (by charring) all 
foreign vegetable substances, as burs, from wool fleece, prepara- 
tory to the initial spinning processes. Compare Burring. 
Card — short for loom-c. 

Card case — a small leather wallet or metal c. for visiting cards. 
Card-clothing — sheets of rubber or leather with wire bristles or 
teeth used for covering the cylinders in wool-carding machinery. 
Cardigan jacket — a close-fitting, knit ribbed woolen or worsted 
body-j., with or without sleeves; a sort of collarless sweater with 
a buttoned front. 

Carding — the process of opening up the fibers of wool, flax, 
hemp, silk, etc., for the purpose of cleaning them of foreign mat- 
ter and rendering the material fine and soft, preparatory to spin- 
ning into yarn. 

Carding wool — fine fleece 2 to 4 inches long. See Clothing w. 
Carmelite — a fine woolen stuff, usually undyed or natural color, 
used mostly for women's wear. 

Carpet bag — an old fashioned hand b. or valise for traveling; 
reminiscent of Lincoln's time. 
Carpet slippers — Christmas gifts. 

Carr's — trade diminutiv for the fine melton cloths made by Carr, 
Son & Co., London. 

Carreau — in weaving, a small check, square or diamond-shaped 
effect. 

Carrot-top — red haired. 

Carroting — one of the initial processes in preparing hat furs for 
felting — a treatment of nitric acid and quicksilver while the fur 
is still on the skin. 
Carry-all — a hunter's pack bag. 
Carsey — old name for kersey. 
Carton — a pasteboard box. 
Caruso pocket — see Raincoat p. 

Cash — an imperativ dimunitiv for cash-boy or cash-girl. 
Cash — an alleged vulgar and disreputable word for money. 
Cash-boy — a young imp who feels that you would rather flirt 
with the saleslady than catch the 5:14 train and so delays bring- 
ing back your parcel and change. 

Cashier — a dispenser of pay envelopes and receiver of customer's 
cash. 

Cashmere — a fine grade of wool ; properly from the c. goat ; used 
largely for underwear. 

Cashmere — (1) a fine twilled, soft finisht woolen fabric; used for 
vestings and suitings ; (2) a knitted underwear fabric, properly of 
c. wool, tho as often (or oftener) of other similar wools. 



Cas 49 Cat 

Cashmere glove — a fabric g. of fine worsted yarn with a nap 
inside. 

Cashmerette — an old time material for fancy waistcoats. 
Casket cloth — a light-weight c. resembling cheap grades of mel- 
ton, of wool, wool waste, cotton, etc., and used for our final over- 
coating. 

Casque — a sort of helmet. 

Cassimere — general term for a large class of woolen cloths for 
men's wear, coarse and fine, both plain and twill-woven, having 
the pattern produced in the loom, and usually appearing in dis- 
tinct checks, plaids and stripes ; the cloth is never napt ; some- 
times made with worsted warp and woolen weft. Name a vari- 
ant of Cashmere. 

Cassinette — an inferior coarse fabric, similar to union cassimere 
(qv), used in the cheaper grades of men's clothing. 
Cassock — (i) a plain, close-fitting garment, reaching to the feet, 
the distinctiv dress of clerics indoors and out, worn with and 
without vestments, often with a sash ; the color is black for 
priests, purple for bishops, red for cardinals, the pope alone 
wears white ; (2) a similar garment worn by Anglican clergy 
when officiating; (3) a short, loose jacket worn under the Geneva 
gown by Presbyterian ministers ; (4) a military cloak ; (5) a 
name some times given to the single-breasted clerical frock coat 
with closed-throat military collar. 
Cassock bands — see Bands (2). 

Cassock vest — a clerical waistcoat without opening in front, 
closing on the side, and with a short military collar. 
Cast knitting — a variety of k. in which the needles are thrust 
from the inside while the yarn is held on the outside of the fabric 
or article that is being made. 

Cast-off — wornout or discarded clothes we don't want. 
Cast-off buckle — a suspender b. that permits a separation of the 
end strap from the webbing as a toilet convenience for lazy 
persons. 

Castor — see C. beaver. 
Castor — a shade of gray. 

Castor — (1) a general term for lightweight gloves of any leather 
from which the grain is removed, commonly gray or drab in 
color; (2) one of several terms for ooze kid. 

Castor beaver — a heavy milled, face-finisht, all-wool cloth, a 
little lighter in weight than ordinary beaver (qv) ; used for over- 
coats, etc. 

Castor Francaise — a long-haired felt used by hatters ; and hats of 
same. 

Cat — a night prowling animal whose hide, after its ninth death, 
becomes sealskin, etc. 



Cat 50 Cha 

Cat o' nine tails — a multi-thonged whip or scourge sometimes 
worn out on bad boys, et al. 

Catalog — a book or pamphlet listing wares of sale ; in widest use 
as a publication for the special benefit of mail order customers. 
Catcher's mask — a guard for the face ; constructed of wire and 
leather, worn as a protection against pitched and foul balls, the 
batter's bat, etc. 

Catcher's mitten — a very large, heavily padded leather glove or 
pillow on which the pitcht balls are received by the catcher, so 
contrived as to hold the ball and save a home run. 
Catching mitt — see Catcher's gloves and C. mitten. 
Cats-and-dogs — trade term for a miscellaneous collection of mer- 
chandise of more or less doubtful value. 

Cathedral beard — a broad, spreading, square cut b., "so called 
because men of the church did wear it". 

Cavalier cape — familiar term for evening dress cloak and by ex- 
tension for the Inverness overcoat. 

Cavalry uniform — see Full dress, Dress u., Service u., Fatigue 
u., et var. 

Cellular cloth — broadly, any c. more or less loosely woven, char- 
acterized by cell-like meshes or openness. 

Celluloid — a chemical substance consisting largely of cellulose 
and camphor, manufactured in imitation of linen, amber, shell, 
ivory, etc. 

Celluloid collars — c. that need never go to a laundry and should 
never go near to a fire ; c. cuffs ditto ; worn largely by working- 
men who could just as well do without them. 
Cemented seam — trade term used in reference to s. fastened to- 
gether by a strip of rubber tissue or cement or other adhesiv, 
usually lapt, and commonly stitcht, tho the stitching is some- 
times omitted. Mostly used on old-style mackintoshes. 
Cerement — a garment, covering or wrapping for the dead ; grave 
clothes. 

Ceremonial — formal (as dress). 

Cerevis — a small cylindrical cap, usually with a society, or corps 
monogram, worn by students in German universities. 
C. G. — trade diminutiv for the balbriggan and lisle thread hosiery 
and underwear manufactured by C. & G. Bonbon et Cie, Troves, 
France. 
Chain — warp. 

Chain hole — a vertical buttonhole in a waistcoat, from which the 
watchchain is suspended. 

Chain stitch — an ornamental s. formed by carrying the thread 
thru repeated slip loops, easily pulled out by pulling the under- 
thread; sometimes used for basting. 



Cha 5^ Cha 

Chain-weave serge — trade term for s., so woven as to resemble 
chains laying close together diagonally, clear finisht and piece 
dyed (qv) ; also called double corkscrew. 
Chain-weave worsted — see C.-w. serge. 

Chalk — loosely, any substance used by tailors for drafting pat- 
terns and marking cloth. 

Chalk stripes — trade term for fabrics having white stripes on a 
dark ground, as serges, unfinishts, etc. 

Chambray — a fine quality of gingham, plain colored, woven of 
very fine count cotton yarns, the warp and weft usually of differ- 
ent colors, with a linen finish. 

Chamois — a soft, pliable leather, originally prepared from the 
skin of the c. goat, used for gloves, garment interlining, chest 
protectors, pockets, window cleaning, etc. 

Chamois fiber — name given to a stout crinkled paper fabric used 
as an interlining, for chest protectors, etc. 

Chamois pocket — a p. in trousers, waistcoat or other garment, 
chamois lined. 

Championship belt — usually a most gorgeous affair competed for 
by pugilists. 

Change pocket — a small p. for small change, usually placed on 
the right side of coats, either above or within the regular p. on 
that side, and occasionally, in overcoats, on the inside facing of 
the left side ; also called ticket p. 

Changeant — changeable ; an effect in weaving obtained by em- 
ploying both warp and weft, composed of two strands of differ- 
ent colors, the changeable colors being an effect of light-play, 
according as viewed. 

Changey-for-changey — (nautical) an expression used in rela- 
tion to a "swap", denoting that each party is satisfied with his 
bargain. 

Channel — in shoemaking, the groove or gutter along the edges 
of the sole wherein are the stitches holding sole and other parts 
together. 

Chap money — English provincialism for a rebate allowed by a 
dealer for spot cash payment. 

Chaparejos — strong leather breeches or overalls to protect the 
legs from trees and brush while riding; worn by cowboys on the 
plains and by them commonly abbreviated to "chaps". 
Chaparro — see Chaparejos. 

Chape — (i) the metal tip of a scabbard; (2) a catch or loop. 
Chapeau — a hat ; especially, a plumed or military hat. 
Chapeau — (navy) a rigid -cockt hat of black silk beaver, 16 to 18 
in. from peak to peak, 5-5^ in. high on left fan, 4-4^ in. high on 
right fan. For the admiral of the navy, to have in the fold at 
each end a tassel of 5 gold bullions underlaid by 5 blue f ( Uions ; 



Cha 52 Cha 

a strip of 2 in. gold lace laid on flat around the outer rims of the 
fans, passing under the peaks ; on the right fan a 3-^ in- black 
silk cockade with a loop of iy 2 in. gold lace over it, fastened with 
a large size navy button, the ends of the loop being carried over 
the rim; for rear admirals, the same but with a iy 2 in. strip of 
gold lace around the outer rims ; for other commissioned officers 
except chaplains, chief boatswains, chief gunners, chief carpen- 
ters and chief sailmakers, the same, but with a strip of black 
silk 2 l / 2 in. wide around the rims, in lieu of gold lace, laid on 
half-and-half; (Army) similar, according to pattern in offices of 
quartermaster general ; to be worn with the peak front turned 
slightly to the left, showing the gilt ornaments upon the right 
side; (Marine corps) of black silk plush, curved pattern, same as 
prescribed for general officers of the army, except that both sides 
shall be 5 in. high, with an embroidered gold lace ornament on 
the right side surmounted with a marine corps cap ornament 
and a large marine corps button, a gold wire tassel in front and 
rear peak, and a plume of canary colored cock feathers for major 
general commandant ; for all staff officers (optional) the same, 
except that the plume is of red cock feathers. This chapeau may 
be worn with special full dress and full dress in place of cap for 
indoor occasions when desired ; never to be worn when mounted. 
(Revenue cutter service) a rigid or folding chapeau of black silk 
beaver, of same dimensions as prescribed for the navy, the rims 
bound with black silk lace 2 l / 2 in. wide, showing half-and-half ; 
on the right fan a black silk cockade 3-^ hi., over which is a strip 
of gold lace fastened with a revenue service button, a tassel of 3 
gold and 3 blue bullions in each peak. 

Chapeau bras — a soft, three-cornered dress hat that can be folded 
and carried under the arm, worn commonly in the 18th century 
and still by officers in the U. S. navy. 
Chapeau de poil — a beaver or felt hat. 

Chapka — (Bohemian) a sort of mortar-board hat, part of the 
Landers uniform. 

Chaplain's evening dress coat — (navy) see Evening d. c. 
Chaplain's evening dress waistcoat — (navy) see Evening d. w. 
Chaplain's full dress coat — (army) a single-breasted frock c. of 
black cloth with standing collar, fastening with 9 black silk but- 
tons ; no ornaments. 

Chaplain's frock coat — (navy) a single-breasted f. c. of dark blue 
cloth, buttoning to the neck, with one row of 7 flat black silk 
buttons and plain standing collar on which is embroidered in sil- 
ver a Latin cross, and on the sleeves rows of black braid ac- 
cording to rank. 

Chaplain's hat — (army) with full-dress and dress uniforms, a 
black felt h., similar to the service h. (qv) with a cord of gold 
bullion and black silk intermixt. 



Cha 53 Che 

Chaplain's mess jacket — (navy) see Mess j. 
Chaplain's undress waistcoat — (navy) see Undress w. 
Chaplain's vestments — (army and navy) while conducting serv- 
ices the chaplain may wear the v. of the church to which he be- 
longs. 

Chaplain's white service coat — (navy) same as w. s. c. (qv), but 
with white buttons. 

Chaplet — a wreath or garland for the head — worn only in pic- 
tures from mythology; perhaps, by certain of the illuminati of 
the very ancient past ; and by the near-actors in certain frivolous 
and unclassifiable theatrical productions of latter times. 
Chapman — a peddler of trifles or cheap small wares. 
Chappau — a sort of coat or tunic of silk or woolen cloth worn by 
the Uzbek Tartars, beneath an overgarment of woolen cloth. 
Chaps — see Chaparejos. 

Character wig — (theatrical) any w. designed to help delinat the 
character portrayed. 

Charge account — a soft snap for papa's boy. 

Charges prepaid — supposed to be an inducement for orders ; but 
analysis of inventory statements shows that the buyer always 
stands it. 

Chasuble — a sleeveless mantle falling low in front and behind, 
with a cross on the back; worn by Latin, Greek and Anglican 
priests ; the principal vestment regarded as strictly sacerdotal or 
sacrificial. 

Chauffeur's livery — see Appendix. 

Chauffeur's sack coat — same as Norfolk jacket, but with turned- 
down collar and military closed neck. 

Chauffeur's suit — any s. designed for service wear of the automo- 
bile operator. 

Chausse — the early name for drawers. 

Cheap tailor — one who makes, or claims to make, clothes to order 
at prices as low as and often much lower than readymade gar- 
ments may be obtained for. Garments made by such tailors are 
usually made under practically the same conditions as readymade 
— by machinery and by operators instead of by journeymen 
tailors and hand work; the main difference being that each order 
is cut separately instead of several garments being cut at one 
time as in readymade. Unless the "cheap tailor" has facilities 
for obtaining his cloths and other materials direct from the mills, 
as have readymaders, and has a large business to take care of 
such necessarily large purchases, there are no other advantages, 
as he must then buy thru jobbers, in small lots at higher prices. 
Because of much fraud and deceit in connection with cheap 
tailoring in the past, the "cheap tailor" is not always highly re- 



Che 54 Che 

garded, tho there are many inexpensiv tailors enjoying the re- 
quisit facilities, who have built up large businesses by fair and 
square dealing. 

Check — in weaving a design produced by different colors cross- 
ing at right angles forming small squares. 
Check kersey — one of the old names for k. 

Cheeks — an old sobriquet for a marine, derived from a rough pun 
on his uniform in the olden days. 
Cheese — familiar term for c. press block (qv). 
Cheese cloth — a thin, sleezy, loosely woven, unbleacht or bleacht 
cotton fabric, used chiefly (in men's wear) as a covering for pad- 
ding and garment interlining; also, shellackt, to give body to silk 
hats and the like. 

Cheese press block — a half circular segment of seasoned hard- 
wood, about 3x12x18 inches, used by tailors for pressing seams, 
lapels, edges, etc. 

Chest — the part of the body enclosed by the ribs and the breast- 
bone. 

Chest — a wooden box for holding clothes and other personal 
property. 

Chest measure — a standard of sizing by which readymade 
clothes, shirts, etc., are bought and sold. 

Chest protector — an undergarment of felt, wool, chamois or paper 
fiber, worn under the dress shirt for extra protection in cold 
weather; vulgarly "liver pad". 

Chester — colloquial English for top-coat ; abbreviation of Ches- 
terfield (?). 

Chester jacket — a single-breasted sack coat similar to a Norfolk. 
Chesterfield — (1) a single-breasted, fly-front overcoat, of medium 
length, having a plain back with or without a center seam ; (2) 
also a single-breasted cutaway frock-coat for stout men, usually 
made with 4 buttons, the top one only used. 
Chesty — full chested ; pigeon breasted. 

Cheval glass — a long mirror, revealing the entire person, much 
employed by those who think themselves good to look upon. 
Cheviot — originally a rough, twill-woven, slightly fulled fabric, 
with shaggy nap, woven from the coarse strong wool of the c. 
sheep, whence name ; more generally any rough-finisht, twill- 
woven fabric of strong, coarse wool, thoroly fulled, either with 
rough (or open) or close finish (long or short nap), used as suit- 
ing and overcoating. 

Cheviot shirting — a heavy, plain or twilled, soft finisht cotton 
fabric, woven of single-thread warp and weft sufficiently coarse 
to produce weight, usually with loom-produced patterns such as 
small checks and stripes. 



Che 55 Chi 

Chevreau — (glove term) real kid, fed only by the mother, never 
having browsed. Compare Chevrette. 

Chevrette — (glove term) kid older than chevreau (qv), having 
eaten other foods, as grass, etc., the skins being consequently 
harder and tougher. 

Chevron — in weaving, a pattern characterized by zig-zag lines or 
stripes ; herringbone. 

Chevron — (i) a device, consisting of two or more bars meeting 
at an angle, worn on the sleeve by non-commissioned officers to 
indicate rank; (2) an heraldic device. 

Chicken skin — a material once actually used for gloves and fans, 
but now quite unused for such purposes — not, indeed, that the 
creatures have been cultivated into any greater tenderness nowa- 
days. 

Chimere — a gown worn by Anglican bishops. 
Chimneypot — a tall or top hat, usually applied to those of felt. 
Chin clout — a muffler. 

Chin latch — a small cloth strap to fasten together the turned-up 
collar of an overcoat or ulster; fastened by means of buttons 
and buttonholes. 
Chin lines — whiskers. 
Chin stay — see C. strap. 

Chin strap — a band passing under the chin for holding on a 
cap or hat ; an extendible s. attacht to uniform caps, usu- 
ally worn closed on the upper side of visor, or in the case of 
shakos, falling loosely in front of, but not under the chin. 
Chin tuft — a wee beard; a goatee or imperial. 
China silk — a light, thin, plain woven silk fabric ; pongee. 
Chinchilla — general term for heavy, double-woven woolen fab- 
rics, having a long napt surface of wooly lobs (or tufted nap) of 
various forms and effects, but not in imitation of chinchilla fur, 
as is generally supposed. See Petersham. 

Chinchilla — an animal of the weazel family, found in Peru and 
Bolivia, prized for its soft, gray, silky fur. 

Chinchilla machine — a machine for forming the peculiar knobby 
nap of chinchilla cloth. 

Chine — an effect in weaving produced by employing warp 
threads that have been printed and groupt in such manner as to 
form more or less distinct patterns when woven ; most frequently 
seen in silks, such as taffetas. 
Chinese grass — see Ramie. 

Chink — the slant-eyed dopefiend who declares your shirts are 
not ready because you didn't call for them yesterday. 
Chinkers — cant for handcuffs united by a chain. 



Chi 56 Civ 

Chip — trade term for tiny diamond specks used in cheap jewelry. 
See Rose cutting. 

Chipping Norton — see Bliss tweeds. 

Chirothecae — a form of glove worn by the ancient Romans, 
fingerless and resembling the modern mitten. See Digitalia. 
Chiton — a sort of short, sleeveless tunic, worn by the ancient 
Greeks. 

Chlamys — a variety of himation (qv). 
Chlorine — Cl 2 ; one of the most activ bleaching agents. 
Chloroform — CHCI2; a good agent for the removal of grease 
spots from clothing. 
Choice — see Wool. 

Choiling — cutlery term for the operation of filing the little nick 
in a blade just between the cutting edge and the tang. 
Choir vestments — see Cassock, Cotta, Surplice, etc. 
Choked bellows — an underlaying accordion plait around a pocket 
(usually of the patcht variety) for purposes of increast capacity. 
See Bellows pocket. 

Choker — any tall (and uncomfortable) shirt collar, especially a 
plain standing collar. 

Chopper — in tailoring establishments a man who lays the paper 
patterns made by the "cutter" on to the cloth, marks same, and 
"chops" or cuts the cloth. Compare Cutter. 
Chopper — a heavy leather working glove or mitten. 
Chorus shirt — see Ballet s. 

Chrome kid — goat skins tanned and finisht by the salts of alumi- 
num or chromic acid method. See Vici k. 

Chuddah — (1) a fine wool shawl made in India; (2) also the 
wool of which it is made. 

Church-of-England hat — a low, round-crowned, felt h. with plain, 
flat brim, sometimes (erroneously) called shovel h. (qv). 
Cigar case — a leather or metal pocket c. for cigars. 
Cigar magazine — (1) same as c. case; also (2) a humidor. 
Cigaret case — a metal pocket c. for coffin nails. 
Cimeter — see Scimitar. 
Cinch — a belt. 

Cincture — a clerical girdle of serge or other stuff with silk 
fringed ends. 

Circular cape — any c. the outer edges of which, spread flat, con- 
form to the shape of a circle, and generally understood to mean 
without shaping at the shoulders. 

Civet — the glandular secretion of the civet cat. most repulsiv 
and disgusting in its original state, but, properly compounded, 
practically indispensable in the imitation of certain floral per- 
fumes. 



Civ 57 Cle 

Civilian dress — distinguishes our everydayness from army and 
navy magnificence. 
Clad— clothed. 

Clan tartan — any and all of the plaids of the various highland 
clans of Scotland. 

Claque — a sort of semi-circle of felt, which it was the fashion in 
France, in the early part of the last century, to carry under the 
arm instead of wearing it on the head. 
Clasp — a ball-and-socket glove fastener. See Snaps. 
Class chevron — (navy) angled stripes of scarlet cloth forming 
part of the rating badge (qv) indicating rank of the wearer. 
Classy — a term often used by misfit shops and cheap "gents' fur- 
nishers" as implying some aristocratic distinction. 
Clatty — dishevelled ; untidy. 

Claudent — a readymade scarf or plastron tied like an ascot or 
puff, but without fullness and flat as a pancake. 
Clawhammer — see Evening dress. 

Clay — a name given to serges, worsteds and diagonals woven 
after the process of J. & B. Clay, of Huddersfield, England. 
Clay worsted — see above and Worsted. 

Clean — well made ; of good quality, texture, lines, styles, work- 
manship, etc. 

Clear finish — trade term for worsted cloths from which all nap or 
fuzz has been removed, as serge, "hard finish" worsteds, etc. 
Clearing sale — the effort made by one merchant to show how 
much cheaper he is than the other fellow. 

Clerical cape overcoat — similar to an Inverness o., the cape but- 
toning in front. 

Clerical collar — (i) a coat and waistcoat c, straight standing, not 
turned over, similar to that known as military c. (qv) ; on the 
waistcoat, however, the clerical c. buttons behind and has a con- 
tinuous front ; (2) a separable linen shirt c. closed in front and 
buttoning behind, the Anglican c. being single and the Roman 
double or folded. 

Clerical frock coat — a single-breasted frock c. with straight skirts 
(not cutaway), buttoned from waist line to throat, usually with 
7 buttons, with military collar. 

Clerical full dress — as worn by Anglican clergymen, consists of 
a sort of single-breasted cutaway frock coat without revers, but- 
toning to the throat, with a military collar; a cassock waistcoat 
and plain trousers. 

Clerical girdle — a sort of cincture of black or white worsted or 
silk rope with tasseled ends. 

Clerical sack coat — a square-cornered single-breasted s. c, with- 
out revers, usually with 6 buttons, closing to the throat, with 
military collar. 



Cle 58 Clo 

Clerical shirt — a plain white linen s. without a made bosom, but 
with a simple placket. 
Clerical shirt collar — see Clerical c. (2). 
Clericals — short, close-cropt side-whiskers. 
Clerk — an absolutely impeccable individual. 

Cleveland hat — a white or light-colored felt h., shaped like the 
silk top h., popular during- the first Cleveland administration. 
Clip — a season's "crop" of wool ; a shearing. See Wool c. 
Clips — waste bits of cloth and other materials, saved and sold to 
converters. 

Cloak — a loose outergarment without sleeves ; a cape. 
Cloak room — a shuffling place for umbrellas, hats, overcoats and 
rubbers. 

Cloaking — any fabric suitable for men's or women's cloaks or 
overcoats, such as kersey, broadcloths, beaver, vicuna, chinchilla, 
etc. 

Clock — narrow stem of silk embroidery on either side of a stock- 
ing, extending beyond the ankle and ending in a spear or crows- 
foot ; also a similar effect in drawn work. 

Clockmutch — a night cap, from the Dutch clapmuts ; a form of 
head-dress which, tho still worn in Holland, is rarely seen in 
America. 

Clodhopper — an awkward, clumsy fellow. 
Clodhoppers — (1) extra large, ill-fitting shoes; (2) big feet. 
Clog — (1) a dancing shoe; (2) an overshoe. 

Clogs — wooden soles, usually iron shod, with leather straps for 
fastening. 

Close edge — see Scotch e. 

Close-fitting — said of a coat or other garment made tight or snug 
fitting, or shaped closely to the body. 

Close-roll — trade term for umbrellas constructed on metal rods 
and covered with fine silk or other material" that will roll closed 
into small compass. See Tight r. 
Closed front — see Meeting folder. 

Closed gauntlet — a mailed protectiv covering for the hand and 
wrist with immovable fingers, with the exception of one joint, 
so that in the shock of meeting an adversary, the weapon of the 
wearer, held fast in the fixt fingers, might not be dropt out of 
the hand — a device which, in the tournaments of those days, was 
considered as giving an unfair advantage over one's adversary, 
and was usually proscribed. 

Closed shop — a s. where a workman who refuses to join a labor 
union cannot find employment. 

Closed trousers — tailors' term for t. made for customers who 
stand with their legs close together, the inseam being shorter 
than is required for open t., which see. 



Clo 59 Clo 

Closers — in ready-to-wear clothing manufacture, operators who 
put together the sides, back and front seams of a coat, making 
the outer shell only. 

Closing measure — in tailoring a measure taken over the shoulder 
from front to rear of sleeve-head at under-level of arm scye. 
Compare Scye m. 

Cloth — in the woolens trade, a word used generally, to distin- 
guish close-woven, fulled and milled or napt fabrics made of 
woolen yarn from those made of worsted yarns in various fancy 
weaves and not compacted but given various finishes, as "clear", 
"unfinisht", etc. 

Cloth beam — in a loom a roller or b. on which the woven fabric 
is wound. 

Cloth board — a piece of wood on which bolts of woolens, linings, 
shirtings, etc., are wound into bolts; also made of heavy paper 
pulp b., and wood-and-paper. 

Cloth brush — name commonly given to a b. of bristles set in a 
wooden back, to distinguish from whisk broom, altho the latter 
is often so called. 

Cloth button — a b. made on a mold and covered with cloth 
matching the garment. 

Cloth fair — an English custom of the 17th century, annual ex- 
hibits and sales being held by the weavers and factors. 
Cloth knife — a very long tapering blade for cutting many layers 
of material at a time, working in a groove in the cutting table. 
Cloth-lapper — one who folds cloth in the piece, generally by 
means of machinery. 

Cloth of gold — generally heavy brocaded silk textures, inwrought 
with gold threads. More precise information can be had with 
research — you might commence with Deuteronomy xxxix. 3, and 
work up to the present. 
Cloth of iron — see Iron c. 

Cloth-stitch — a close s., like the weave of cloth. 
Cloth tester — a machine for testing, from a small sample, the 
tensil strength of fabrics. 
Cloth (the)— the clergy. 

Cloth-teazeler — a machine for raising a nop on cloth by teazeling. 
Clothes — consult Baker's "Dictionary of Men's Wear". 
Clothes hamper — a basket for soiled clothes. 
Clothes line — a rope on which washing is hung out to dry. 
Clothes press — a closet for clothes ; a wardrobe. 
Clothes tongs — an implement for grappling cloths or garments 
and removing them from a dying vat. 

Clothier — (1) one who sells ready-to-wear clothing — distinguisht 
from the tailor in that he usually gets his money in advance ; (2) 
a manufacturer of clothes. 



Clo 60 Coa 

Clothing — garments and apparel, considered as a whole. 
Clothing wool — fine fleece 2 to 4 inches long, intended for woolen 
or carded yarn, usually graded as picklock, XXX, XX, X, No. 1 
and No. 2, the first being the finest, the last the coarsest; the 
name of locality where obtained is also prefixt. See Wool. Com- 
pare Combing w. 

Clouded yarn — weft y., characterized by alternate thick and thin 
places thruout its length. 

Cloudy — trade term for goods not perfectly dyed and uneven in 
color. Compare "Off-color" and "Shaded". 

Club — a place for the idle rich to sit in the windows for the in- 
spection of pretty girls passing by. 
Club — see Wig. 

Club check — small quiet checks. 
Club coat — see Dinner jacket. 
Club tie — see Graduated t. 

Coaching hat — a felt h. similar to a derby, but with a flat or 
square top. 

Coachman's box overcoat — a double-breasted top coat, of covert, 
kersey or whipcord, for wear with stable suit or undress livery. 
Coachman's collar — a standing shirt c. usually on a band and 
having well rounded corners. 

Coachman's frock coat — a single-breasted skirted c. closing with 
six buttons, usually matching the metalwork of the harness, large 
pocket flaps at waistline without pockets, four buttons on skirt. 
Coachman's hat — (1) a tall felt h. having a bell crown with a 
flat top; (2) a variety of Derby h. with a flattish top. 
Coachman's livery — Dress : body-coat, breeches and boots, silk 
hat, great-coat in winter. Undress : cutaway coat, breeches, 
square-crown derby or bell-crown hat, leggins, selby or top-coat 
in winter; jacket and trousers often substituted for the skirted- 
coat and breeches. 

Coachman's overcoat — a double-breasted frock o., buttoning close 
to the neck with a double row of six buttons, Prussian collar, 
large pocket flaps at waistline, the skirt folds showing turned 
back revers or side edges (qv). 

Coachmen's proof — an extra heavy waterproofing process, as ap- 
plied to raincoatings, etc., intended for severe wear. 
Coat — an outergarment for the upper part of the body as body 
c. (sack, cutaway, frock, dress, etc.), and overcoat (topcoat, 
Chesterfield, Newmarket, paletot, raincoat, Inverness, ulster, etc.) 
Coat case — see Portmanteau, Suit c, etc. 

Coat front — trade term for a built-up stiffening or shape-retain- 
ing interlining for the fronts of coats, made of stitcht layers of 
haircloth, felt and canvas. 



Coa 6 1 Coc 

Coat label — (i) a 1. of cotton or linen, usually sewed within the 
inside breast pocket, containing besides the tailor's name the 
name of the customer, date and number of order; (2) a woven 
silk 1. bearing the name and address of the maker, usually sewed 
inside at back of neck. 

Coat link — a pair of buttons linkt together, or a button and a 
loop, used for closing or fastening a coat, as a dress coat. 
Coat maker — a journeyman tailor who makes coats his specialty. 
Coat money — a tax levied by Charles I. ostensibly for clothing 
the army. 

Coat of mail — defensiv armor worn by those afraid to die. 
Coat pad — general term for any made-up padding or wadding, as 
shoulder-pads, coat-fronts, etc. 

Coat shirt — a s. open all the way down the front and put on like 
a c, whence name. 

Coat sweater — a knitted jacket or sweater (qv) opening all the 
way down the front and closing with buttons; with sleeves, but 
usually without collar, much like a cardigan jacket. 
Coat-tail pocket — see Skirt p. 
Coat-tails — the skirts of a frock c. 

Coatee — (1) a very short coat of 1757; (2) a cadet's uniform coat. 
Coating — tailoring term for all fine woolen and worsted cloths 
especially suitable for dress-coats, such as broadcloth, crepe, un- 
finisht worsted, vicuna, refines, etc. ; also applied to overcoatings. 
Coatlet — a dummy sample showing how a coat will look when 
made up ; a means of showing piece goods by swatches cut and 
finisht much like a coat front, the effect being enhanced by dis- 
playing a number of such dummies in an overlapping row. (Name 
and system proprietary.) 

Cobble — to patch or repair boots or shoes; used in the sense of 
rough or clumsy work. 

Cobbler — (1) a mender of boots and shoes; (2) a clumsy or in- 
different workman. 

Cobweb — unusually thin, sheer and transparent, as c. hosiery. 
Cochineal — bug juice; a red dye. 

Cockade — a roset or knot of ribbon, leather, bullion, etc., worn 
on the hat as a badge of service, military, diplomatic or (improp- 
erly) domestic, etc. 

Cocking — tailor's term for critical inspection of finisht garments 
for discovery of mistakes — derived doubtless from an affected 
manner of squinting or "cocking the eye" on the part of the 
zealous examiner. 
Cockle — see below. 

Cockling — trade term for a wrinkled, puckered or shriveled effect 
or apparent defect in cloths, usually the result of lack of uni- 
formity in warp and filling yarns, or uneven twist of either or 



Coc 62 Col 

both, or imperfect crabbing (qv), etc., chiefly encountered in 
"light weight fabrics and especially in such styles as loom-checks, 
mixt warp suitings, etc. 

Cockt hat — a h. of various shapes, sometimes turned up in front 
only, with one button, and also with three laps, often richly 
trimmed with metal cords, buttons, laces, ribbons, etc. ; see 
Kevenhuller. See also Chapeau. (Cocked h.) 
Cocoon — the covering or chrysalis envelop spun by the silk worm, 
from which the filaments entering into the manufacture of silk 
are obtained. 

C. O. D. — collect on delivery — otherwise you could have a charge 
account. 

Codfish — the airs, frills and pretensions of the new-rich ; affected 
stylishness. 

Codfish aristocracy — the "smart set" that furnishes the market 
for readymade ties, "pants," "vests," and outre "fashions" gen- 
erally. 

Codpiece — a medieval ornamental article of apparel. Consult 
Rabelais, Boccaccio, et al. 
Coffin cloth — see Casket c. 
Coif — a close undercap — centuries out of date. 
Coin case — a sort of purse for odd change. 
Coin purse — a small p. for "loose change." 

Coin toe — one of many varieties of shoe toes, rounded, and ac- 
cording to width, known as half dollar t., dime t., etc. 
Cokers — iron reinforcements for the sole and heels of the wood- 
soled clogs worn by European peasants; also known as "irons". 
Cold storage — recommended for furs ; for processes, etc., consult 
scientific works. 

Coldwater shrinking — a process of sponging or shrinking wool- 
ens by dipping them in cold water and then suspending them on 
rods or lines in the open air to dry ; the London process ; the 
opposite of steam shrunk (qv). 

Colichemarde — a peculiar duelling sword of the period of Louis 
XIV. 

Collar — in tailoring that part of a coat or waistcoat that is folded 
back around the neck. All collars are either straight (put on in 
a straight line) or horseshoe (hollowed and curved), the former 
being the better fitting but more difficult to make. As to shape 
collars are known as notched c, shawl c, ulster c, clerical c, 
Prussian c, military c, rolling c, etc., while as to material they 
are designated self c, velvet c, laid-on velvet c, inlaid c, etc. 
All of which see 

Collar — a detacht or attacht linen neckpiece. See Shirt c. 
Collar-ascot — a neglige c. and cravat combined, but separable. 
(Proprietary term.) 



Col 63 Col 

Collar bag — a b. of cloth or leather, with a draw-string, for carry- 
ing collars when traveling. 

Collar box — a container for collars, usually of leather. 
Collar break — tailoring term for the creased line of a lapel. 
Collar button — an indispensable instrument of iniquitous pro- 
clivities. 

Collar city (the)— Troy, N. Y. 
Collar insignia — (army) see Insignia of rank. 
Collar spring — a steel s. device worn under coat collars for 
the purpose of keeping the coat front together without buttoning 
and for the further purposes of spoiling the coat and to display 
the wearer's vulgarity. 

Collar stand — tailoring term for that part of a coat c. where 
sewed to the coat proper and extending to the crease or turn-over 
point; usually \y§ to i}i inches in height. 

Collar velvet — a very fine and expensiv grade of silk v. made 
especially for the tailoring trade. 
Collarette— see Vestlet. 

Collars-and-cuffs — nickname for the late Duke of Clarence, son of 
King Edward VII. , arising from his penchant for extremely high 
collars and protrusiv cuffs. 

College cap — an adhesiv diminutiv c. of about the size of a 
small saucer. 

College colors — flamboyance. See Appendix. 
College hat — a flat-topt soft felt h. of the telescope variety, 
usually with band in college colors, commonly worn with brim 
blazed up or banged down in front. 
Collet — a shoulder cape or collar. 
Collet — the neck or stem of a button. 

Collet point — the sharp point or base of a brilliant cut diamond. 
Cologne — see Eau de c. 

Colonel's uniform — (army) see Full dress, Dress u., White u., 
Service u. ; (marine corps) Special full dress, Full dress, Mess 
dress, Undress, Field dress. Also variations. 
Color — briefly, any hue, as distingusht from white. See Encyclo- 
pedia. 

Color doctor — in calico printing, a blade for wiping surplus ink 
from the engraved roll. 

Color of the day — in ecclesiastical usage the vestments worn on 
certain days must be of certain colors, as : white, for the feasts of 
our Lord, of virgins who were not martyrs, and of confessors ; 
red for feasts of Pentecost and of all martyrs; violet for advent 
and from Septuagesima until Easter ; green for ferial or ordinary 
days ; black on Good Friday and in services for the dead. Cloth 
of gold is supposed to take the place of white, red or green. 



Col 64 Com 

Color-test — general term for the various means of determining 
the purity or fastness of colors, which may be by means of ex- 
posure, washing, chemical processes, etc. See Acid t., Exposure 
t., and an encyclopedia. 

Comb — a little rake of rubber, horn, celluloid or other substance 
used in dressing the hair. 

Combination suit — undershirt and drawers constructed as one 
piece or garment; better known as union s. 

Combing — the process of arranging the fibers of wool, mohair, 
silk, cotton, etc., into a parallel condition and of equal length, 
preparatory to spinning into smooth, even and regular yarn; the 
perfected application of the carding principle. 
Combing wool — fleece intended for worsted yarn, the staple rang- 
ing from 4 to 10 inches long; generally classed as fine, medium, 
coarse and low. See Wool. Compare Carding w. 
Come again — shopkeeper's invitation to try it over again. 
Come-back — a customer, not sold to the first time, who returns. 
Come-to-Jesus-collar — irreverent term for a plain standing linen 
shirt c. of the lap front variety; a "choker" ; a clergyman's c. 
Comforter — a long woolen scarf or muffler. 

Comforter — a quilt or counterpane, especially one of cotton or 
wool filling between two sheets of cotton or silk, more or less 
fancifully stitched. 

Comfortable — a sort of shawl worn in the first half of the last 
century. 

Commander's coat — (masonic) a double-breasted frock c. of 
black cloth, having two rows of 11 buttons each and a standing 
military collar and epaulets. Compare Sir Knights c. and 
Fatigue blouse. 

Commander's uniform — (navy) see Special full dress, Full dress, 
Dress, Service dress, Evening dress, Mess dress, Undress. See 
also variations. 

Comme il faut — irreproachable. 
Commercially all-wool — see All wool. 

Commodore's uniform — see Special full dress, Full dress, Dress, 
Service dress, Evening dress, Mess dress, Undress. See also vari- 
ations. 

Common — see Wool. 

Commonsense — a name sometimes applied to designate a certain 
style of broad-toed footform shoe. See Orthopedic. 
Competition — a good thing to take the conceit out of some mer- 
chants. 

Composition cloth — a strong, heavy cotton duck or canvas, chem- 
ically waterproofed, used for trunk covers, bags, etc. 



Com 65 Con 

Compound spectacles — (1) s. having lenses made of two different 
foci or characters in one frame; (2) s. with supplementary (de- 
tachable) lenses of colored glass. Compare Bifocal s. 
Concertina pocket — a bellows (patch) p. 

Conchas — Silver ornaments attached to the spurs worn by cow- 
boys and plainsmen on high days and holiday occasions. 
Conditioning — a process in the manufacture of cotton yarns, re- 
storing thereto, immediately after spinning, the natural moisture 
that was driven out. Originally the purpose was to add weight 
and deceive the purchaser, but experience, in comparison with 
yarns "hot off the reel", has demonstrated that conditioned yarns 
are improved materially in strength, elasticity and appearance, 
with freedom from kinks and curls. 

Conductors' uniforms — see Railroad c. u. and Street railway c. u. 
Coner — a workman who attends to a cone on which hat bodies 
are formed. 

Coney — a species of rabbit, the fur of which is largely used in 
the manufacture of fur garments, and by hatters ; properly the 
fur of the conepatus, a genus of badger-like skunks ; loosely ap- 
plied to all cheap furs, such as rabbit, cat, etc. 
Confessional cape — a c. worn by Catholic priests in the confes- 
sional box ; not much in present use. 

Confirm — to ratify an order given — a practice that seems to be 

growing in usage. 

Conformateur — a mechanical device for obtaining and recording 

or holding the shape of the head or of other parts of the body 

that hats or other articles of apparel may be conformed thereto. 

Congress shoe — a s. without a buttoned or laced opening in the 

front of top, but with elastic gores in the sides. 

Coning — in hat making the process of shaping the flat felt into 

cones. 

Connaught — an overcoat of the same class as the present day 
Chesterfield, popular in England about 25 years ago. 

Continental hat — the distinctiv h., so called, worn by the Con- 
tinental Army of old, but which dates back to the time of Wil- 
liam III. See Three cornered h. 

Contract — (1) a binding legal agreement insisted upon by em- 
ployes not confident of holding their jobs otherwise, and proffered 
by employers not confident of holding good men otherwise; (2) 
an agreement for merchandise or other services. 

Contraptions — vulgarism applied to any new-fangled, peculiar 
thing or idea; e. g., an extravagant form of dress, a queer and 
unusual manner of speech, or anything else that is new and to 
which the public taste is not accustomed. 



Cop 66 Cor 

Cope — a long mantle of silk or brocade worn over the alb by 
priests or bishops on solemn or ceremonial occasions ; also a 
state or choral vestment worn by laymen. 

Copper toed — name given to the oldtime schoolboy's shoes with 
copper toe protection against scuffing. 

Cops — the conical rolls of thread formed on the spindle of a spin- 
ning machine. 

Cor de soie — a corded silk of the 18th century. 
Cord stitch — a fancy s. of a chain-like nature. 
Corded edge — in tailoring an edge-finish obtained by laying a 
cord along the joint and fastening it thereto so as to present a 
hard-wearing e. ; see piped-e. Differing from corded welt in that 
the cord is not concealed but is on the outer edge or surface. 
Corded goods — trade term for such goods as Bedford cord, whip- 
cord, repps, ottoman, etc. 

Corded pocket — same as jetted p. (qv), especially if the turned 
over piece encloses a cord. 

Corded seam — a plain s. (qv) is first made, then instead of 
being presst open, the s. is turned to one side and stitcht thru 
again so that the face of the cloth shows a row of stitching, cor- 
responding, usually, with the edge finish. The three thicknesses 
give a cord effect to the s., hence the name, altho it is also called 
"single-stitch s." Also sewn with a cord or piping between so as 
to show same on the outside. See C. edge. 
Corded wolf's paw — see Wig. 

Cordington — a heavy, close-felted variety of "niggerhead". See 
also Petersham. 

Cordonnet — inferior silk fibers used for manufacturing braids, 
binding, twist, etc. 
Cordovan — horsehide shoe leather. 

Corduroy — a heavy, pile-woven cotton fabric largely used for 
hunting garments, stable wear, laborer's clothes, etc. ; usually 27 
inches wide. In weaving one or two sets of weft may be used 
(the latter for the better grades), the weft forming the pile 
which is thrown up in furrows of loops which are afterward cut 
and singed, and the cloth then dyed. 
Cordwainer — a shoemaker. 

Cork sole — shoemaking term for an intermediate s. of cork for 
warmth and protection against wet. 

Corkscrew worsted — a twill-woven suiting having a round, even 
twill, supposed to, but not suggesting the twists of a corkscrew, 
formed by the warp surrounding and imbedding the weft and 
appearing on both face and back of the fabric. 
Corner pocket — same as top p. 

Coronation cloth — a black-and-red variation of Queen's mourn- 
ing c, (qv) appearing just previous to the first time set for 
coronation of King Edward VII. 



Cor 67 Cot 

Coronet — an article of decorativ attire not popular in democratic 
America, tho in activ demand by heiresses of peddlers, packers, 
etc. 

Corporal's uniform — see Full dress, Dress u., White u., Serv- 
ice u., Fatigue u. Also variants. 

Corpulent — trade term for a man whose waist and breast are 
more than normal measure ; i. e., a man whose chest seems to 
have slipt down below his belt. See Stout. 
Corselet — medieval armor. 

Corset — contraption of cloth, steel and whalebone for giving 
shapeliness to a woman or effeminacy to a man. 
Corset vest — a vest (waistcoat) cut snug and tight to compress 
the waist and strongly constructed to withstand the strain. 
Cosmetique — same as Pomatum. 

Cossacks — a peculiar shapeless sort of trousers reaching about to 
the ankle where they are drawn with a ribbon and tied, rather 
full below the waist where they are gathered by plaits to 
shape; popular in first half of 19th century. Also called Plaited 
trousers. 

Cost-mark — the first thing, not comprehended in his duties, that 
the new employe takes an activ interest in learning. 
Coster suit — general term for anything garish and cockneyfied. 
Costume — (1) dress and the science and history of dress; (2) the 
garments one may be wearing. 

Costume de rigeuer — extreme formal or evening dress ; prescribed 
ceremonious attire. 

Costumer — one who furnishes garments of any particular period 
or fashion for theatrical use, masquerades, etc. 
Costumer — a piece of furniture upon which clothes are hung at 
night. 

Costumic — of or pertaining to costume (rare). 
Cotta — a short surplice, with and without sleeves. 
Cottes noir — "black coats", the nickname of a corps of mercenary 
German troops of the early 17th century, whose appointments 
were black thruout. 

Cotton — the soft, wooly fleece or down from the seed boll of the 
c.-plant. How interesting are the encyclopedias ! Look it up. 
Cotton-bate — a bundle of about 500 lbs., in dimension 54x27x27 
inches. 

Cotton bengaline — silk b. with cotton warp. 

Cotton cheat — term used by righteous factors in denunciation of 
mercerized woolen and worsted fabrics. 

Cotton classification — the New York commercial classification is 
(1) full grades: fair, middling fair, good middling, middling, low 
middling, good ordinary, ordinary ; (2) half grades are designated 
by the prefix "strict" ; (3) quarter grades by the prefix "barely", 



Cot 68 Cou 

meaning a point above half-grade and the next full grade above, 
and "fully", meaning a point between half grade and the next 
full grade below. Liverpool high grades are higher and low 
grades lower than those of New York. Classifications for length 
are short staple (under 25 mm.), medium (25 to 30 mm.), long 
(30 to 40 mm.), and extra (40 mm. or more). 
Cotton gin — a machine for separating the seeds from the fiber 
of cotton. 

Cotton test — if silk or wool suspected of containing cotton, light 
a specimen by match ; if adulterated will burn until consumed ; 
the more common test for wool is by boiling in caustic soda. See 
Breaking t., Burning t., Oil t., Sulfuric acid t., Thru-lighting t., 
Untwisting t., Acid t. There are also microscopic and other tests. 
See an encyclopedia. 
Cotton velvet — velveteen. 

Cotton warp — trade term for suitings and other cloths woven 
with a warp of cotton and with filling of woolen or worsted. 
Cotton worsted — stout all-cotton or part-cotton worsted-wove 
suitings for men's wear in imitation of honester goods, usually of 
hard, slippery feel and the despair of the workman who has to 
"chop" it with shears. See Cottonade ; also Manipulated. 
Cottonade — stout cotton cloth woven in imitation of woolen or 
worsted trouserings, produced of coarse yarns, the patterns exe- 
cuted in the loom ; usually narrow width. 

Cottonette — an elastic knitted cotton fabric employed for bath- 
ing suits. 

Cotts — see Cotty wool. 

Cotty wool — the poor fleece of sheep exposed to severe weather 
or inadequately fed ; generally hard, brittle, matted and of little 
value. 

Cotul — a moss grown on the rocks in several British isles: basis 
of the brown dye used in coloring Harris tweeds. 
Count — in spinning, the number given to any thread or yard 
(except silk) to indicate its relativ fineness, based on the number 
of threads required to weigh one pound. See Spinning; also see 
an encyclopedia. 

Counter — a peculiarly shaped piece of sole leather used for stiff- 
ening or supporting that part of the upper of a shoe immediately 
around the heel. 

Counterhopper — a too familiar term for salesclerks in retail 
shops. 

Counter jumper — same thing. 
Counterpane — a coverlet or quilt. 

Counting glass — a magnifying glass for counting threads, twills, 
etc., of a fixed focus with an aperture of definit dimensions to 
serve as a multiple. 



Cou 69 Cow 

Court coat — (1) a formal dress c. in European use; resembles c. 
in vogue in the days of the Georges ; cut somewhat like a "cut- 
away", with standing collar, deep pocket flaps, braided frogs in- 
stead of buttons, braided edges; (2) a house footman's c. 
Court dress — (England) velvet tailcoat with steel buttons, silk 
waistcoat, velvet knee breeches, black silk stockings, buckled low 
shoes and white gloves, a cockt hat carried under the arm and 
a small dress sword worn at the side. 

Court livery — c. coat, silk or satin knee breeches, plush waistcoat, 
silk stockings, buckled low shoes. 

Court plaster — silk or cotton gummed with an antiseptic or heal- 
ing compound, useful after a scrap ; originally worn by court 
ladies in the shape of beauty patches (and pimple hiders?). 
Court tie — a low shoe with short vamp ; a sort of pump. 
Coutil — a closely woven cotton fabric with a fine herring-bone 
twill, slightly resembling jean, used for corsets. (Included here- 
in because some men wear 'em.) (Coutille). 
Cover coat — a top c. ; a covert c. 

Covered button — general term for coat, waistcoat and overcoat 
buttons made on a wooden or metal mold and covered with silk 
braid, mohair, lasting, cloth, etc., which see under those names. 
Coverlet — an outer covering for a bed ; a quilt. 
Covert cloth — a stout twill-woven woolen coating, the warp of 
which is of two twisted yarns of differing colors with a single 
weft of the same color as the dark strand of warp, producing a 
pepper-and-salt or mixt effect in the piece, well fulled and 
sheared according as a smooth or twilled surface is to result. 
Low grade coverts are sometimes woven with a cotton-and-wool 
or all-cotton warp. 

Covert coat — a short top-c, properly of covert cloth. 
Couverture pantaloons — a cloth or rubber lap robe for motoring 
wear, convertible into over-trousers by means of bands, hooks 
and buttons. 

Cow seal — trade term for leather made from cowhides stamped 
in imitation of seal leather but with a large, coarse grain. Com- 
pare Pin s. 
Cow-tail — see Tail. 

Cowboy boots — b. of fine stout calfskin, the legs of which are 
decorated with fancy lines and curves stitcht into the leather, 
and having heels at least 2 inches high curving inwardly with a 
very small bottom, not as a matter of vanity or daintiness, but as 
a check against the foot slipping thru the stirrup and as a brace 
against ground-slipping when roping an animal. 
Cowhide — (1) thick, heavy boot leather; (2) sole leather; (3) 
rough boots of ditto and of pleasant memory of boyhood country 
days ; (4) a heavy flexible tapering leather whip used by team- 
sters and sometimes of unpleasant youthful memory. 



Cow 70 Cre 

Cowes coat — see Dinner jacket. 

Cowl — (1) a monk's hood; (2) the garment of which it is a part. 
Cowlick — (1) a tuft of hair turned up over the forehead, as if 
licked by a cow; (2) a tuft of hair sticking up out of the crown 
of the head that can't be brushed down. 
Coxcomb — a pretentious, conceited dandy. 

Crabbing — a process in cloth weaving by which yarn is uni- 
formly moistened and stretched. See Cockling. 
Craiganputtach — a variety of Scotch tweed from the town of 
that name. 

Crammer — mentioned by Capt. Gronow : probably a choking 
neck-stock or high cravat. 

Crank — a fool customer who knows better than the salesman 
what he wants. 
Crape — see Crepe. 

Crape-cloth — a fine quality, light weight, stoutly woven worsted 
fabric, with a surface in imitation of silk crepe, much used for 
dress coats. 

Crash — (1) coarse linen toweling or suiting; (2) a light weight 
"homespun" woolen suiting woven in imitation of linen toweling. 
Cravat — a necktie or scarf, particularly of the larger,hand-tied 
varieties. 

Cravat pin — see Scarf p. 

Cravatings — silk fabrics designed for neck-dressings. 
Cravenette — a process applied to yarns before weaving, render- 
ing the cloths made therefrom repellent to water and moisture ; 
sometimes applied also to the woven fabric with satisfactory 
results ; a secret process owned by The Cravenette Company and 
B. Priestley & Co., of Bradford, England. Frequently, the word 
is most erroneously misused as a name for an overcoat, tho the 
word strictly refers only to the proofing process, and strictly 
represents, therefore, neither a garment nor a fabric. 
Crease — a prest fold. 

Crease — a large dagger used by the Malays. (Kris.) 
Crease line — in tailoring (1) the line along which a coat collar is 
folded ; (2) where a lapel or rever is turned ; (3) a horizontal line 
in the center of trousers legs, front and back ; (4) any other place 
where a crease may be necessary or fashionable. 
Credit — the precious privilege of obtaining goods one day and of 
paying for them, if you can, some other day. 

Credit clothier — term specially applied to retail tradesmen who 
sell clothes on the installment plan, exacting a larger profit for 
their "obliging" accommodation. 



Cre 71 Cro 

Creedmore — a sort of brogan or blucher shoe for farmers, rail- 
roaders, etc., made of extra heavy leather, double stitcht and 
reinforced by rivets, and having commonly an outside sole leather 
counter. 

Creepers — a baggy sort of dress for children learning to move 
about; usually bifurcated. 

Creole — a stout shoe similar to a Congress gaiter, but with tops 
and uppers cut in one piece and without caps. 
Crepe — generic name for semi-transparent fabrics of silk, wool or 
cotton, or combinations thereof, having a weave effect character- 
ized by a crinkly surface of minute irregular ridges or sometimes 
of small twisted knots or puckers, usually produced by making 
the weft or warp (or both) of hard twisted threads, each alter- 
nate group twisted reversely, which by loom spacing and tension, 
relax and untwist when the fabric is taken from the loom, re- 
sulting in the peculiarity described. Black silk c. is used almost 
entirely for mourning. 

Crepe — a species of thrown silk. See Throwing. 
Crepe cloth — see Crape c. 

Crepe de Chine — a fine, soft, thin silk fabric slightly crinkled ; 
used for neckwear, mufflers, etc. 

Crepe de sante — a light weight cotton or linen fabric, resembling 
momie in weave, used for undergarments, pajamas, etc. 
Crepele — French word meaning crepe-effect. 
Crib — a small bed; a berth or bunk. 
Cricket — a small footstool. 

Cricketing — general name for fine twilled flannel suitings (from 
popular British use). 
Crispin — a shoemaker. See St. Crispin. 
Crispin cloak — see Houppelande. 

Croat — a cravat; such as was worn by the Croatians in the 
French army in 1636. 

Crocheted tie — a slimsy thing on a level with colored shoe laces ; 
usually a souvenir of a misguided sweetheart. 
Crock — to blacken, or stain, or lose color, as a dye that is not fast. 
Crocus finish — a superior glaze or polish given to knife blades, 
etc. 

Crofter — a peasant worker in (British) woolen or linen mills; a 
linen bleacher; a worker at crude hand looms. 
Crofting — the bleaching of linen or cotton fabrics on grass or 
bleaching grounds. 

Croise — weaving term indicating that the warp threads cross 
each other on the back of the fabric, as velvet, broadcloth, etc., 
forming a sort of twill. 

Crop — a short wooden riding or hunting whip with a leather loop 
instead of a lash at one end and usually a handle at the other. 



Cro 72 Cru 

Crop — a growth of hair or beard ; a wig. 
Cropping — technical term for nap-shearing. 

Cross dyed — trade term for fabrics in which, in weaving, a skein- 
dyed decorativ thread of a dark color, usually black, is woven 
into the fabric in the gray, and the whole piece afterward dyed a 
lighter color, permitting the dark decoration to show thru. Also 
called resist dyed (qv). 

Cross-gartered — see Malvolio in "Twelfth Night". 
Cross-legged — the manner in which journeymen tailors work, 
whence their inclination to parenthesis of the legs. 
Cross pockets — regular p. (qv). 

Cross stitches — threads crossing one another, either singly (in 
the middle) or doubly (in the ends), something like a snake 
fence ; used for staying the edges of velvet on collars, but often 
used for ornament only. 

Cross stripes — in weaving, s. running across the width instead of 
along the length ; horizontally. 

Crossbred — the best sheep for mutton tho producing coarse wool. 
Crossbreed — wool classification term. See Wool. 
Crotch — juncture of the two halves of a trouser. 
Crotch piece — a triangular piece of goods sewed onto the inner 
legs of trousers at the crotch when cut from goods not wide 
enough to permit of unspliced chopping. 
Crotch seam — the fork s. See Stride. 

Crown — (1) the upper part of a hat, particularly the flat or table 
part thereof; (2) the top-piece of a flat crowned cap. 
Crown — a decorativ circlet or covering for the head, worn, carried 
or displayed as a mark of kingly or sovereign power; unknown in 
U. S. 

Crown — the upper pyramid of a diamond. See Brilliant cutting. 
Crown-piece — see Crown. 

Crow's-foot tack-stitch — in tailoring, an ornamental tack for ends 
of pockets, vents or inverted plaits. The tack is first laid out in 
a triangle and the threads laid in from base to apex-sides, alter- 
nately from one side and then the other, until the threads meet 
at the base. This is the most common form ; there are varia- 
tions, not differing greatly in effect or method. 
Crow's-foot — a three-pointed embroidery stitch sometimes used in 
finishing pockets. See above. 
Crow's-toe — same as Crow's-foot. 

Cruiser — a waterproof moccasin boot with a sewed-on sole and a 
medium heel, both studded with small hob nails. 
Crush hat — the collapsible opera h. 



Cru 73 Cut 

Crush opera— same as O. hat. 

Crusher — a soft felt hat, not hurt if stuft into a bag; much loved 

of travelers. 

Crutch — the crotch or fork ; (properly crotch) . 

Crutch — a walking prop for cripples and invalids. 

Ct. — abbreviation for carat. 

Cue — see Queuee. 

Cuff box — a receptacle for cuffs ; usually of leather. 

Cuff button — wrist jewelry. 

Cuff links — cuff buttons. See Links. 

Cuffs — (i) ornamental finishing to coat sleeves; (2) separate or 

attacht bands as a finishing for shirt sleeves. 

Cuirass — defensiv armor covering the entire upper part of the 

body. 

Culet — see Collet point. 

Cummerbund — a broad, soft sash. 

Cup button — bowl shape. 

Curl — a cute little kink. 

Curled yarn — weft y. commonly composed of two or three 

threads of contrasting colors, characterized by loops or curls at 

intervals, variously effected. 

Curling — a process in hat manufacture whereby brims are shaped 

to conform exactly to a model. 

Curling iron — a machine that had better be left altogether to 

women, who have hair to burn. 

Currier — one who curries or dresses leather. 

Curtain — the waist lining of trousers. 

Custom made — made in the mode ; to order and to measure. 

Custom tailor — one who makes clothes to order only. Compare 

Merchant t. 

Customer — an individual highly prized by the proprietor and 

patronized by the salesperson ; sometimes called an "Indian". 

Customer's labels — in the ready-made clothing trade (wholesale) 

a name given to woven silk labels, bearing retailer's names, 

sewed into neck of coats. 

Customs inspector's uniform — coat, vest, trousers and cap of dark 

blue cloth, the coat 4-button double-breasted in winter with 2 

lower pockets with flaps, I outside welted breast and I inside 

breast pocket; in summer to be 4 buttons, single-breasted, square 

cut. Inspectors of passenger's baggage wear red cap instead of 

blue. Insignia indicating rank worn on front of cap. All coat 

and vest buttons of flat bone, to be covered with shells when on 

duty. 

Cut — a coil of two hanks of yarn. 



Cut 74 Cut 

Cut goods — trade term for hosiery knitted on a round knitting 
machine, the tubular, unshaped product being cut into required 
lengths, then footed, shaped, etc., by cutting out and adding 
other pieces as needed ; the cheapest process of manufacture. 
Cut mark — a mark fixt on the warp during dressing or beaming, 
to indicate a certain length and serve as a point for separating 
two adjoining pieces of cloth when woven. 
Cut-off cuff — a sewed on or special c. 
Cut-off vamp — same as Short v. 

Cut pile — having a pile made by cutting the loops of the warp or 
floats of the filling on certain fabrics, as velvet, plush, etc. 
Cut velvet — see Velvet. 
Cut wig — see Wig. 

Cutaway frock coat — a single-breasted f. c. with the skirts cut in 
a slanting line from a point near the waist. See Frock c. Oc- 
casionally — and whimsically — this c. is made double-breasted, 
but such an order is the despair of the tailor because of the diffi- 
culty of obtaining a smart appearance. 

Cutlas — a heavy, curved short sword with one cutting edge and 
a bowl-shaped guard, used mostly in hand-to-hand naval en- 
gagements ; latterly being discontinued. 

Cutler — a dealer in knives, scissors, razors, table cutlery, surgi- 
cal instruments, etc. ; a manufacturer or repairer of same. 
Cutlery — cutting instruments collectivly. 

Cuts — trade term for less than a bolt or full piece of goods ; short 
lengths. 

Cutter — (i) in tailoring, the man who takes the measurements 
and drafts and cuts the paper patterns, which, in the larger es- 
tablishment are turned over to "choppers" (qv) who "make the 
lay" on the cloth and cut the cloth ; (2) in ready-to-wear clothing 
manufacturing the "cutter" is the man who lays out the pattern 
on the cloth and cuts the cloth, either by shears, electric cutting 
machine or long knife — corresponding to the "chopper" of the 
merchant tailor; (3) in shoe manufacturing, one who lays the 
patterns on the leather and cuts therefrom the vamps or other 
parts of a shoe. 

Cutters-up — manufacturers of various articles of apparel. See 
Cutting-up trade. 

Cutting knife — a long, tapering k. (24 to 30 in. blade) working in 
a groove or slot, used for cutting cloth, linings, etc., in large 
shops. As many as 75 layers of cloth may be cut at one stroke. 
Cutting machine — an electrically operated m. for cutting several 
thicknesses of cloth at one operation, moved about by hand and 
controlled at will of the operator. There are two principal styles 
(1) a straight knife 5 to 6 in. long, and (2) a circular or wheel 



Cut 75 Dau 

knife 3^2 to 4^ in. in diameter, which will cut thru about 30 

layers of heavy cloth and about 45 of light cloth; the straight 

knife will cut several more layers. 

Cutting-up trade — indicativ of the trades that buy yard goods 

for purposes of manufacturing, as clothiers, tailors, shirt makers, 

etc., as distinguished from the jobbing trade. 

Cutty — a short-stemmed pipe. 



D 



Dalmatic — a wide sleeved tunic reaching to the knees, worn over 
the alb or cassock at mass and communion by deacons; also a 
medieval state or coronation robe. As an ecclesiastical vestment 
it was originally white with wide perpendicular stripes of pur- 
ple; as now worn it follows the color of the day with stripes of 
embroidery. 

Damascened — see Damascus blade and Jowhir. 
Damascus blade — general term for swords famed for the quality 
and temper of the metal as well as the beauty of the jowhir or 
watering of the blades. 

Damask — a twill woven fabric of linen, cotton, silk, etc., with 
loom-figured all-over patterns. 

Damask — steel workt in the Damascus style, showing the wavy 
lines of the different metals ; also called watered and twisted. 
Dame fashion — a fetich. 
Damier — large square checks. 

Dancing clog — a laced leather low shoe with wooden sole (very 
noisy) . 

Dancing pump — a low-heeled, low shoe with short vamps, with 
or without ornamental bow at instep. 
Dandified — dandyish ; foppish. 
Dandy — a beau ; not quite a dude. 
Dandy — something out of the common ; first-class. 
Dandy trap — a loose stone, which slips when trodden on, and, in 
wet weather, throws up the mud under it, to the great detriment 
of the clothes of the victim. 
Darbies — cant for irons or handcuffs. 
Darning stitch — a s. peculiar to darning or embroidery. 
Dart — a place in a garment from which a tapering piece or V has 
been cut to make it fit the figure, as at the waist. Same as fish. 
Dauber — a small brush or other arrangement for applying black- 
ing or polish to shoes, incidentally soiling the hands. 



Day 76 Den 

Day dress — generally, single and double-breasted frock coats, as 
contrasted with swallowtails and Tuxedos for evening dress and 
sack coats for day business and lounge wear. 
De Joinville — a neck dressing, a plain, flat strip of satin or silk 
which must be folded before it is put on, and is passed thru a 
flat (gold) clasp or "scarf ring", having a hinge at one side and a 
spike or projection on the inner side of the rear part for engaging 
and keeping in place the adjusted tie; sometimes this clasp is 
made with a hinged pin ; also the scarf is frequently tied as an as- 
cot, puff, once-over, waterfall, etc. 
Dead gold — unburnisht. 
Dead hairs — see Kemp. 

Dead horse — (nautical commerce) wages paid before they are 
earned. 

Dead wool — fleece taken from pelts of sheep that have died. 
Same as Kemp. 
Debeige — see Beige. 

Decoration — trade term for the white or bright-colored threads 
used to lighten up worsted and other otherwise plainish fabrics ; 
usually employed when the "decoration" is of silk or mercerized 
threads. 

De soy — see Sergedusoy. 

Deep mourning — lusterless black outer garments with crepe and 
no social intercourse or amusements. 

Deep scye — a variety of armhole not fitting up close under the 
arm, as is usual, but where the front and back parts of the coat 
are cut away in a descending curve to a point a little above the 
waist, affecting, of course, the style of sleeve also. 
Degage — easy; unconventional; neglige. 
Delaine — a name given to combing wools. See Wool. 
Delivery — getting goods to the purchaser; usually behind prom- 
ised time. 

Delivery boy — a pert young imp, hired, in the opinin of cus- 
tomers, to talk back to them. 
Deltoid muscle — the pons asinorum of tailoring. 
Demi-toilette — day dress. 
Demi-vest — see Vest-front. 

Denim — a heavy, twilled cotton fabric, usually woven with plain 
colored warp threads, as blue, gray, brown, etc., with white weft ; 
used for overalls, jumpers, etc. Dungaree. 

Denmark satin — a coarse, worsted fabric, woven with smooth, 
satin twilled surface ; a variety of lasting cloth. 
Dent's — trade diminutiv for the general line of gloves made by 
Dent, Allcroft & Co., London. 

Dental floss — a lightly twisted antiseptic heavy silk yarn used 
for cleansing between the teeth. 



Den 7j_ Did 

Dental powder — "tooth powder". See Dentifrice. 

Dentifrice — any substance or preparation used in cleansing the 

teeth. 

Dentist's coat — a short working jacket of heavy drill or duck, not 
unlike barber's c, barkeeper's c, waiter's c, etc. 
Department store — the apotheosis of the junk shop. 
Depilatory — a chemical preparation for removing hair from face 
or other parts of the body. 

Deposit — a tailor's insurance against loss if you fail to call for 
your suit. 

Derby jacket — same as D. sack. 

Derby sack — a single-breasted s. coat with the regular front, with 
a short under-arm cut terminating in a waistline extending back 
to the side seam, meeting a body-shaped back part which has a 
center vent reaching to the made waistline, and finisht with in- 
verted (side) plaits also reaching to the waistline. 
Deshabille — undress. 

Designer — one who originates and plans styles for manufactur- 
ing; in wholesale clothing manufacturing one who also cuts the 
(first) paper patterns, which are afterward turned over to an as- 
sistant to grade into sizes. 

Detroit cap — a c, usually of fur, having a round crown, a rolling 
band highest at the back and sloping to the front, meeting a visor 
that may be rolled up or down. 

Devil — a machine employed in hat manufacturing for thoroly 
mixing furs after carroting. 

Devil — (woolen manufacture) see Willowing machine. 
Devil's receptacles — a nickname given to the wide, long, trailing, 
slasht sleeves worn by the gay bucks of the 14th century. 
Devon — a heavy, close-milled overcoat cloth, in character be- 
tween melton and kersey; one of the old names for a variety of 
kersey. 

Dew retting — the decomposition of flax by dew. See Retting. 
Dhotee — an East Indian concession to modesty. See Waistcloth. 
Diagonal — general term for worsted fabrics having a diagonal 
twill produced by raising the warp threads progressivly, from 
left to right, or right to left, usually at an angle of 45 °, in groups 
of 2, 3, 4, etc., and filling in the weft threads to make them stand 
out in ridges. 

Diapers — our first garments. 
Dice — a square, woven pattern. 
Dicer — a silk hat. 

Dicky — originally (about 1809) a stiff, standing collar; latterly 
a separate shirt bosom, with collar band, worn in place of shirt 
by the impecunious. (Also Dickey). 
Didies — see Diapers. 



Dig 78 Div 

Digitalia — the fingered glove of the ancient Romans. See Chiro- 
thecae. 

Dimity — a fine cotton fabric having a stripe or figure raised on 
the face and deprest on the back. 
Dining jacket — see Dinner coat. 
Dink — to dress or bedeck. (Scotch). 
Dinky — absurdly small, skimpy or insufficient. 
Dinner jacket — an informal dress coat without tails, somewhat 
like a sack coat, for dinner wear, men's evening parties, but not 
where ladies are present, as at balls, operas, etc. Also called 
Cowes coat and Tuxedo coat. 

Dip — in tailoring, a downward inclination of the waist line of a 
frock coat or the bottom line of a sack coat. 
Dip-front — see Dip. 

Diplomatic uniform — the court dress of American ministers 
abroad, while officially "the ordinary dress of an American citi- 
zen" is, by official approval, a plain dress coat and waistcoat, knee 
breeches, black silk stockings and low shoes. This simplicity of 
attire, contrasted with oriental sumptuousness and European 
splendor makes our ambassadors and ministers peculiarly con- 
spicuous. 

Dirk — (1) a Scotch dagger generally without chape or guard; 
(2) a midshipman's side arm, either straight or curved. (British 
navy.) 

Dirk knife — a clasp k. with a large dirk shaped blade. 
Discharge printing — a method of producing patterns in textil 
fabrics by dyeing in the piece of a solid color and printing the de- 
signs with a bleaching agent. Compare Batik, Extracted, Resist 
dyeing, Tied-and-dried, etc. 

Discount — a rebate for prompt pay, or for imperfections, or out 
of courtesy (as to clergymen), or delusivly as in most advertise- 
ments. 

Display — (1) merchandise appropriately arranged for public 
view; (2) personal ostentation. 

Distaff — a rod or stafT for holding a quantity of wool or flax in 
hand spinning; usually held under the left arm. 
Distingue — very smart ; elegant. 

Dittis — a fabric formerly made in Manchester, used for (and 
whence the name of) Ditty bags (qv). 

Ditty bag — (nautical) a small bag to hold sewing gear, shaving 
tackle, etc. ; a sailor's "housewife". 

Ditty box — a small box for holding a sailor's thread, needles, 
brushes, combs, etc. 
Diver's helmet — see Diving dress. 



Div 79 Dom 

Diving dress— a waterproof, air-tight garment, like a combined 
blouse and trousers, with helmet, the whole hermetically sealed, 
heavily weighted, and supplied thru pipes with air for the wearer 
to breathe. 

Diving suit — see D. dress. 

Division list — a proportionate scale of selling prices, used in the 
clothing trade, snowing the relativ prices of suits, coats, trousers, 
vests and combinations thereof. 

Division square — a tailor's s. marked with the various fractional 
computations commonly required in sub-dividing the taken meas- 
ures when drafting. 

Dobbie — that part of a loom that raises and lowers the harness 
frames. Also called Witch. (Dobby). 

Doctor's cap — (scholastic) usually of black velvet, with gold 
tassel. See Mortarboard c. 

Doctor's gown — (scholastic) a loose flowing g., usually of silk, 
with round, open sleeves barred with black velvet and faced down 
front with same ; or the velvet may correspond in color with the 
binding or edging of hood. 
Doctored — (i) manipulated; (2) adulterated. 
Doeskin — a high-grade woolen suiting, and trousering material, 
close woven, fine twilled, fulled to a very considerable degree and 
finisht as required, usually (1) dry, (2) doeskin, (3) melton or 
(4) worsted, being respectivly (1) sheared of all nap, baring the 
weave, (2) smooth nap, weave nearly concealed, (3) a close 
standing nap, (4) smooth, hard and glossy; there are also other 
finishes. 

Doeskin — a fine quality of jean (qv) closely twilled and with a 
wool filling. 

Doeskin finish — see Doeskin and Dress faced. 
Dog — vernacular for affected or redundant finery or style ; to put 
on airs ; vulgar ostentation. 
Dog-rabbitting — see Piecing-out. 

Dogskin — a stout, dry, inelastic glove leather made from kyudles 
or sheep in imitation of it. 

Dolman — a sort of cape or cloak with wide open sleeves ; also the 
uniform jacket of a hussar, worn like a cape, with the sleeves 
hanging loose. 

Dom Pedro — a heavy leather brogan. 

Domestic — made here; not imported — for which thanks often 
should be given. 

Domestic finish — laundry term for linen finisht without gloss and 
with but little bluing. 

Domestics — cotton goods of American manufacture as distin- 
guish from imported goods. Always used in the plural. 



Dom 80 Dou 

Domet — a loosely woven, napt, all-cotton, flannel, originally 
woven with a woolen weft ; largely used for neglige shirts, night 
robes, children's wear, etc. See Outing cloth. 
Domino — (1) a mask or half-mask worn at masquerades; (2) an 
adjustable robe or hood worn at masquerades; (3) a loose-flow- 
ing hooded garment of ecclesiastical wear. 

Donegal tweed — strictly that hand-scoured, home-spun tweed 
made wholly in the county of Donegal, Ireland, on the hand 
looms of the peasantry; more loosely tweeds made of Yorkshire 
yarns woven, dyed and finisht in Donegal ; falsely, any fabric in 
imitation thereof. 

Doorman's livery — same as Footman's dress 1. 
Dornex — a heavy 17th century coarse linen, used for servants' 
clothing. 

D'Orsay — trade term for a certain well-rounded effect in the curl 
of a hat brim. Compare Pencil-curl and Anglesea. 
Double-and-twist — (1) trade term for weaving yarns doubled and 
twisted in combinations of two or more colors ; (2) fabrics woven 
from such yarns — Bannockburns and Drummond worsteds, be- 
ing examples. 

Double-breasted — loosely, any coat, waistcoat, undershirt or 
other garment having a double thickness in the front with a 
double row of buttons and buttonholes or other means of fasten- 
ing. 

Double-breasted cutaway — a variation of the single-breasted 
frock, known about 1840, and but infrequently seen since, despite 
attempts to revive it. See Cutaway frock coat. 
Double-breasted reefer — same as D.-b. sack coat. 
Double-breasted sack coat — see Sack c. 

Double cloth — general term for any fabric composed of two 
single textures woven and joined at one operation, the conjunc- 
tion being effected by interlacing part of the warp threads of one 
texture with those of the opposit texture, as (1) a fabric with two 
warp surfaces and one of weft in the center; (2) a fabric with 
two weft surfaces and one of warp in the center; (3) a fabric 
with two distinct series of warps and wefts, each woven sepa- 
rately, but united at regular intervals to each other during the 
course of weaving. Unless the object is to produce effects not 
possible with single cloths the doubling is usually for the pur- 
pose of giving weight and body without the expense of weaving 
the face pattern thru and thru. Also called Backt-c, French- 
back, etc. 

Double collar — a folded c. (qv). 
Double corkscrew — see Chain weave serge. 

Double crepe — a very crisp, crinkly black silk c. (qv) used for 
deep mournings. Compare Single c. 



Dou 8 1 Dra 

Double cuff— a c. that is folded and turned back on itself or onto 
the sleeve. Compare Single c, Fold-back c. 
Double dyed — dyed twice over; thoroly impregnated; said also 
of mixt goods dyed once in a cotton dye and once in a wool dye, 
or otherwise, as the case may be. 
Double faced — fabrics having a pattern on each side. 
Double knit — knitted with a double stitch, giving a double thick- 
ness to the fabric. 
Double milled — sheared twice. 

Double pick — two filling threads run together into the same shed 
of the warp. 

Double pile — any fabric with pile or heavy nap on two sides, as 
double plush, double-faced canton flannel, etc. 
Double satin de Lyon — a s. having both surfaces glossy. 
Double sole — trade term for hosiery made with a s. much 
heavier than the body of the stocking. See Spliced heel. 
Double soled — term for shoes made with extra thick soles. 
Double-stitcht — an edge or seam finish obtained by stitching 
twice in parallel rows of stated width, as "}4 m - d. s.". See 
"Single-s.". 

Double-stitcht seam — same as cord s. (qv) but stitcht twice and 
with a larger underlay or outlet for the second row of stitching. 
Also called Lap s. 

Double-width — generally, all fabrics ranging from 48 to 60 in. 
wide and folded lengthwise before being rolled into bolts; orig- 
inally goods were "single width" (27 to 36 in.) and many are still 
so woven, fine trousering and shirtings particularly; strictly, the 
proper term is "quarter", as four-quarter (4/4) for 36 in. ; six- 
quarter (6/4) for 54 in., etc. 

Double work — knitting term for the use of two threads together 
instead of one, and for the fancy effects so produced. 
Doublet — a close-fitting outer body garment with sleeves and 
sometimes with short skirts and belted at the waist, worn from 
15th to 17th centuries, usually with hose. 
Doupe — gauze weaving. 
Dowdy — see Slob. 

Dowlas — originally, a strong, plain woven linen fabric used for 
working blouses, etc. ; latterly, a sort of stout calico. 
Down at the heels — poverty; destitution; general seediness; 
needing clothes. 
Downright — see Wool. 

Drafting cape — see Measuring c. and Beatty c. 
Drap — French word for cloth ; seldom applied to cotton fabrics. 
Drap d'alma — a fine, close, flat ribbed twilled fabric of wool or 
silk-and-wool, finisht on but one side. 



Dra 82 Dre 

Drap d'ete — a fine double warp worsted fabric with fine length- 
wise cords or ridges on the face, and a smooth back, used for 
dress and clerical wear, summer coats, etc. 

Drape — loosely, any smooth-faced fine cloth for dress wear; 
crepe (qv). 

Draper — a dealer in cloths; also a clothier, haberdasher or dry 
goods merchant. 

Draw string — a tightening tape or s. working thru a gathered 
hem, or eyelets. 

Drawer supports — any device attacht to trousers (or to suspen- 
ders) for the purpose of holding up the nether undergarments. 
Drawers — nether undergarments. 

Drawing — a process of woolen manufacture by which the combed 
fleece assumes a yarn or thread-like appearance ; roving. 
Drawing stitch — a method of making an edge-to-edge join or a 
seam without a lap, a s. being taken up thru one side, then drawn 
over and down under and up thru the other side, and so on ; usu- 
ally employed joining collars to coats. 
Drawn in — see Hold in. 
Dreadnought — see Fearnought. 
Drech — trash ; trashy. (German.) 

Dress — general term for garments and articles of apparel and the 
science and manner of wearing them ; more particularly one's 
outer attire. 

Dress — tailor's term, indicating the manner in which a man dis- 
poses himself in his trousers, necessitating a certain difference 
in the crotch-fulness of one trousers leg, as "right d." or "left d." 
Dress — (navy) the uniform to be worn upon the reception of 
various prescribed officers of the government, governors of states 
and territories, American ambassadors, ministers, etc. ; on visits 
in part to commanding officers ; on Sunday morning inspections. 
Consists of — for all commissioned officers, except chaplains, chief 
boatswains, chief gunners, chief carpenters and chief sailmakers 
— frock coat, undress trousers, (white may be prescribed) cockt 
hat, epaulets, sword and undress belt, scarf, white gloves, medals 
and badges ; for officers excepted above and for warrant officers, 
mates and clerks, the same as "undress A" ; for midshipmen, the 
same as prescribed for commissioned officers, substituting blue 
cap for cockt hat and shoulder knots for epaulets ; for chief petty 
officers, except bandmasters, and for stewards and officers' cooks ; 
blue dress: blue cloth coat and blue cloth trousers, blue cap, 
white shirt, white collar and cuffs, black cravat ; white dress : 
white coat, white trousers, white cap, white shirt, white collar, 
black cravat. For bandsmen; blue dress: full-dress coat, blue 
trousers, helmet, white standing collar, belt, gloves (and for 
bandmaster, a sword) ; white dress : same as blue dress but with 



Dre 83 Dre 

white trousers. For all other enlisted men; blue dress: blue 
overshirt, blue cloth trousers, blue cap, neckerchief, knife lanyard 
(seaman branch only); white dress: dress jumper, white dress 
trousers, white hat, neckerchief, knife lanyard (seaman branch 
only) ; (Revenue cutter service) worn by officers performing any 
special duty with enlisted men under arms away from the vessel, 
and when calling officially upon officers other than commanders 
of vessels of war or military posts ; consists of frock coat, white 
or blue trousers, cap, shoulder straps, sword and black leather 
belt over the coat which is worn buttoned. 
Dress belt — (army) see Army b. 

Dress board — (navy) a bulletin b. on which the prescribed dress 
or uniform of the day to be worn by the crew is described by ex- 
ecutiv officer's orders. 

Dress breeches — (army) for all officers, of same material and 
with same stripes as d. trousers, cut in the prescribed pattern 
and fastened from the knee down with dark bone buttons or with 
lacings. See also Service b. 

Dress cap — (army) for all officers, same as Full dress c. (qv) ex- 
cept with certain differences of trimming and insignia. For en- 
listed men : of dark blue cloth of same style as prescribed for 
officers, bearing a stripe of cloth of the color of the corps, depart- 
ment or arm of service, with appropriate rating insignia. 
Dress coat — see Evening dress. 

Dress coat — (army) a sack c. of dark blue cloth or serge. For 
general officers: double-breasted with high rolling collar and 2 
rows of gilt buttons groupt according to rank, 3 buttons on cuff ; 
skirt to extend one-third of distance to knee, with 4 inch slit at 
hip for saber; all pockets inside. For all other officers: single- 
breasted with standing collar, c. closing with flap containing con- 
cealed fastenings, c. cut form fitting with saber slit and side 
vents and trimmed around bottom, front edges, collar and vents 
with 1% in- flat black mohair braid; shoulder and collar orna- 
ments per regulations. For enlisted men : a single-breasted sack 
c. of dark blue cloth, cut with a straight front, fastened with 6 
buttons down the front; standing collar; shoulder loops of same 
goods let in at shoulder seam and fastened to collar with small 
button ; 3 buttons on cuffs ; collar, shoulder loops and cuffs piped 
with cord-edge braid of the color of corps, department or arm of 
service. 

Dress derby — a d.-shaped hat, covered with gros-grain or other 
plain silk; for wear with dinner jacket. Also called Tuxedo hat. 
Dress faced — a term sometimes given to woolen cloths, such as 
doeskin, broadcloth, beaver, etc., having a slight nap. Compare 
Bareface finish, Scotch finish, Velvet finish. 
Dress frock coat — (revenue cutter service) same as Full dress f. 
c, but worn without epaulets. 



Dre 84 Dre 

Dress gloves — (1) generally, g. of fine kid; (2) specifically, g. of 
white kid or fabric for evening dress. 

Dress jumper — (navy) worn by all enlisted men, except chief 
petty officers, officers' stewards, officers' cooks and bandsmen ; 
made of bleacht cotton drill, of pattern similar to the blue over- 
shirt (see naval overshirt) except that the body hangs straight 
and loose to 2 to 3 inches below the hips; trimmings same as for 
blue overshirt (but all of white), the collar and cuffs being of 
dark blue flannel. 
Dress refines — see Refine cloth. 

Dress reform — an ever-recurring evanescent dream. 
Dress reformer — a human by-product of civilization subject to 
cerebral coruscations, occasionally menacing to the peace of his 
fellow men. 

Dress shield — a light rubber or other perspiration-proof device 
sometimes used in the armholes of coats. 

Dress shirt — a (loose) trade term for a white or colored s. with 
a full set-in stiff bosom. Compare Evening-d. s. 
Dress shirt protector — see Shirt p. 
Dress suit — see Evening dress. 
Dress suit case — see Suit c. 

Dress tie — a folded strip of white linen, lawn or dimity to be tied 
in a bow, worn only with full evening dress. 
Dress trousers — see Evening dress. 

Dress trousers — (army) for all general officers, including staff 
corps and departments but not engineers — of dark blue cloth 
without stripe, welt or cord ; for chief of artillery, of light blue 
cloth with iy 2 in. stripe of scarlet cloth ; for all other officers, the 
same as for full-dress. For enlisted men : of sky-blue kersey, of 
regulation cut. 

Dress uniform — (army) the prescribed u. worn by officers at 
reviews, inspections, parades and other ceremonies when the 
troops are in d. u. ; at such other duties under arms as may 
be prescribed; on courtsmartial, courts of inquiry, and boards of 
officers when prescribed ; also authorized as a mess dress, and 
for social occasions when full dress is not worn. For all officers, 
dismounted : dress coat and trousers, dress cap, black shoes ; un- 
der arms add dress belt (worn under coat) saber and white 
gloves; same, mounted: dress coat, dress breeches, dress cap, 
drab leather gloves, black boots, spurs; under arms, add dress 
belt (under the coat) and saber; for chaplains, dismounted: dress 
coat and trousers, chaplain's hat, black shoes, white gloves (when 
occasions require gloves) ; same, mounted : dress coat and 
breeches, chaplain's hat, black boots, spurs ; for enlisted men : 
worn when prescribed by commanding officer; dismounted: dress 
coat and trousers, dress cap, black shoes and, when under arms, 



Pre 85 Dry 

white gloves, russet leather belt, and cartridge box; mounted: 
dress coat, service breeches, dress cap, russet leather shoes, leg- 
gings, spurs, drab leather gloves and, if under arms, saber belt 
and cartridge box. 
Dress waistcoat — see Evening d. w. 

Dress worsted — general term for fine grades of unfinisht and 
face-finisht worsteds, used for dress wear. See Unfinisht worsted. 
Whipcord, etc. 

Dressed leather — any 1. that has been curried or stuft with oils 
to increase its flexibility, its resistance to water, etc. 
Dressing — (1) a process in weaving by which every thread of 
the warp is uniformly set in its proper position in the loom ; (2) 
last process in shoemaking consisting of final applications of 
dressing or polish, the treatment of dull or bright spots, stains, 
etc. 

Dressing bag — a fashion-writer's affectation. See Suit case, Kit 
b., Traveling b., etc. 

Dressing gown — a loose g. or robe worn while dressing or in un- 
dress. 

Dressy — fond of dress; supposedly elegant or stylish. 
Drill — trade abbreviation for drilling (qv). 

Drilling — general term for stout twilled cotton and linen fabrics 
used for pockets, interlinings, summer trousers, etc. 
Driving coat — (1) a c. designed for protection or style when driv- 
ing; (2) a duster (qv). 

Driving gloves — g. with re-enforced palms and under-fingers, 
often with gauntlet tops. 

Driving hood — a knitted covering for the head that may be worn 
variously, as a h. over a cap or without a cap, or as a throat 
muffler, etc., according to adjustment. 
Driving rug — a carriage robe. 

Drop stitch — knitting term for a skipt or slipt s., done to effect a 
lacy or other pattern. 

Drum-major's shako — (marine corps) see Full dress cap. 
Drummer — usually the whole band, judging by his noise. 
Drummond worsted — in general, any plain Oxford w., twill 
woven, one warp of black and one of one or two shades of 
gray (or white), both twisted, and then alternated, the filling 
yarn being of the same colorings and arrangement. Strictly the 
term belongs to worsteds manufactured by a firm of English 
weavers of that name and with whom this peculiar plainish effect 
seems to have originated. 

Dry cleaning — a naptha or other chemical process ; meaning not 
washed in water. 

Dry finish — trade term for woolen fabrics (as doeskins) sheared 
of all nap, baring the weave. 



Dry 86 Dun 

Drying frame — any contrivance for drying underwear, hosiery, 
etc., in shape and without loss of size, the garment being pulled 
over same and adjusted; some of these frames are made of wood, 
others of spring wire, etc. 

Dubbing — a preparation for softening and waterproofing leather. 
Dub — (i) in weaving, to dress with teazels for raising a nap (see 
Teazeling) ; (2) in leather-making, the act or process of rubbing 
in a softening or waterproof mixture or dressing. 
Duck — a heavy, strong, plain woven linen or cotton fabric simi- 
lar to, but of lighter weight than, canvas, used for summer cloth- 
ing, hospital, army and navy uniforms, and as vestings, etc. In 
weaving, two threads of warp are laid side by side and treated 
as one. 

Dude — not worth description. 
Duds — clothes. 

Duffels — an old-time heavy woolen cloaking with a thick tufted 
or knotted nap, originally made in Duffel, Flanders ; match cloth. 
Duffle bag — about the same as Wangan b (qv). 
Dull — in the shoe trade, a general term indicating a distinction 
between bright or patent (or enamel leathers) and calf, kid and 
other mat or dull finisht leathers. 

Dumbbells — link cuff-buttons with rigid bars; name from having 
originally been made with plain balls at either end, resembling 
dumbbells. 

Dummy — a figure on which clothes are displayed; a "form" (qv). 
Dummy box coat — not a real c. ; an unusable c, carried by 
coachmen for show ; an illustration of the economics of snobbery. 
Dummy buttonhole — not cut thru but stitcht on the surface only, 
for purposes of ornament. 

Dummy try-on — a basted-together fictitious "try-on" of linings 
and interlinings "fitted" to the customer while the actual coat is 
being made up without t.-o. or fitting; a device of "cheap tailors" 
to save the expense of try-ons. Compare Bluff try-on. 
Dumps — skates. See "High dutchers". 
Dun — a result of not paying your bills. 

Dunce cap — a tall, conical paper c. awarded to some luckless 
scholar in the old days for lack of brilliancy and worn, for the 
weal of the class, in some prominent corner of the room, or on a 
seat by the teacher. "Those were happy days". Also called 
Fool's c. 

Dundee — a twill-finisht thibet, made to imitate unfinisht worsted. 
Dundrearys — long, flowing side whiskers. 

Dungaree — in the British navy a fine quality of blue jeans used 
for sailors' shirt collars, watch-marks on sleeves, etc. ; also in a 
coarse grade for working clothes ; in the American navy a coarse 



Dun 87 Ear 

cotton stuff "similar to denim ; a term commonly used in reference 
to navy working clothes. 

Dungaree jumpers — (navy) a blouse of blue denim, single- 
breasted sack pattern, buttoned to the neck and loosely fitting; 
worn by enlisted men on working duty. 

Dungaree trousers — (navy) working t. of blue denim, made with 
a fly instead of with front falls, worn by enlisted men. 
Dunnage bag — a large, long b., commonly of canvas, for laundry, 
etc. 

Dunrobin — a fine Scotch plaid. 
Durance — lasting (qv). (Same as below?) 

Durant — a strong, close-grained woolen stuff of Revolutionary 
times. 

Dust — an article kept in stock in large quantities in all mercantil 
establishments and usually hard to move save by continued ex- 
ertion. 

Dust coat — same as Duster. 
Dust shield — see Wind s. 

Duster — a light overcoat of linen, mohair or other thin fabric, 
once extensivly used for traveling or driving. 
Dutch metal — an alloy from which much of the "gold" lace of 
commerce is manufactured. 
Duttees — the coarse brown calicoes of India. 
Duxbak — proprietary name for a semi-waterproof canvas used 
for sporting and rough weather clothing. 

Dye bath — a solution of coloring matter for dyeing purposes. 
Dyebeck — same as Dye bath. 

Dyeing — the art and operation of coloring textil fabrics by im- 
mersion in a properly prepared bath ; dyes are chiefly vegetable 
or anilin, and a source of anguish if they fade unduly. See an 
encyclopedia. 

Dyer — one who dyes fabrics. 
Dyer's weed — see Woad. 
Dye-stuff — any material used for dyeing. 



E 



Ear caps — see E. muffs. 

Ear flaps — those parts of a cap that may be turned down to cover 

and protect the ears from cold. 

Ear guards — padded leather protectors worn by footballers. 

Ear lock — the lock of hair curling over or near the ear ; any lock 

of hair on the side of the head ; a love lock. 



Ear 88 Ela 

Ear muffs — pads or m. for wear over the ears in cold weather, 
usually of velvet, held in place by an elastic cord or metal spring. 
Popular in St. Louis with the first touch of frost. 
Ear rings — jewelry worn in the ears, the lobs of which are pierced 
for the purpose ; once upon a time gentlemen wore them ; nowa- 
days noticed mostly on foreign laborers. 
Ear tabs — see E. flaps and E. muffs. 

Ear whiskers — short tufts of scrub reaching to the depth of the 
ears. 

Easter — tailor's harvest time. 

Eating apron — a garment for young children, having a bib and 
sleeves made of one piece; also an a. without sleeves. 
Eau de Cologne — a strongly perfumed toilet water; properly, 
that for which the city of Cologne is celebrated. In this city the 
industry was establisht in the beginning of the 17th century by 
Paul Feminis and Maria Clementine, a nun, jointly possessing the 
secret and conducting the business ; at his death Feminis be- 
queathed the formula to the Farina family, while the nun left it 
to Peter Schaeben ; both families still carry on the business and 
are the leading manufacturers. 
Ecru — raw color, as of silk, linen, etc. ; unbleacht. 
Edge baster — in ready-to-wear clothing manufacture, a workman 
who finishes the work begun by the straighteners, underbasters 
and edge operators, by turning in the outer part and facing (of a 
coat) and basting the edges preparatory to final felling and 
stitching. 

Edge operator — in ready-to-wear clothing manufacture, a work- 
man who does only the first seaming of coat edges. 
Edge setting — the process of burnishing the edges of shoe soles 
on a lathe-like machine called an e. setter. 
Edge trimming — see foregoing. 

Edges — the e. of coats, waistcoats, etc., are variously denomi- 
nated, according to manner of making and finish, blind e., bluff e., 
braided e., bound e., corded e., double-stitcht e., felled e., piped e., 
plain e., prickt e., raw e., single-stitcht e., etc., which see. 
Effect threads — weaving term for decorativ threads of different 
colors added to worsted and woolen fabrics, usually of mercer- 
ized cotton or silk, or resist-dyed wool or worsted. 
Effigeen — an oldtime lining fabric. 

Egyptian — trade term for cotton grown in the Nile districts of 
Africa; very silky, smooth and strong; more commonly known as 
Maco. 

Eiderdown — a thick woolen-pile fabric, woven on a cotton stock- 
inet body. 

Elastic canvas — a plain- woven fabric of linen or cotton, unbleacht 
or bleacht, of various weights, used for stiffening garments. 



Ela 89 Ena 

Elastic gore — a woven tape-like fabric, made in such a manner 

with rubber threads that it forms an elastic tape or goring which 

is inserted in the sides of a shoe immediately over the ankles, 

made so that the shoe may be stretcht and drawn on and held 

on the foot by this elastic goring, no lacing being used in this 

style of shoe which is commonly known as Congress shoe or 

gaiter. 

Elastic seam — proprietary term for a make of undergarments of 

jeans, nainsook, etc., having strips of elastic knitted material let 

in between seams, or in places of strain, etc. 

Elastic stocking — a s. of silk and rubber threads for reducing 

swelling, aiding the muscles, etc. 

Elastic twill — a fine flexible cloth used for dress wear. 

Elastic webbing — any garter or suspender w. of silk, cotton or 

other material having interwoven threads of pure rubber. 

Elasticity test — to determin the quality and e. of silk thread, 

take a yard of thread and hold it firmly in each hand on some set 

table or object, and keeping one hand stationary, start to stretch 

it. If it breaks off short there is either cotton or other adulterant. 

JElbow sleeves — term for undershirts with sleeves reaching to the 

elbows. 

Electric seal — imitation sealskin, usually muskrat or cat. 

Electric tanning — treatment by electric current in connection 

with the astringent liquor, to hasten conversion into leather. 

Elegant — a French dude. 

Elevator-boy's suit — same as Hall-boy's s. 

Elk skin — a soft, pliable, oilless leather, usually made of calf s. 

and tanned by a chemical process; used chiefly for athletic and 

sporting shoes. 

Ell — a measure of length as for cloth, having different values in 

different places, and now rarely used ; in England an ell is 45 

inches, in Scotland 37 inches. 

Elysian — a fine grade of overcoating cloth, having the nap laid 

in diagonal lines or ripples, something like, but rougher than 

Chinchilla, and with straighter hair. 

Embroidered — ornamented with fancifully workt designs in 

stitches. 

Emerald — a green precious stone anciently considered an enemy 

of impurity and that would break if it but toucht the skin of an 

adulterer. 

En regie — in high ceremonious attire. 

Enameled collar — a shirt c. made of a material composed of two 

sheets of white paper between which was a connecting layer of 

thin muslin showing thru the paper sides, after pressure, with a 

cloth-like effect ; invented in 1857. Since made entirely of paper, 

the surfaces stampt to imitate cloth. 



Ena 90 Epi 

Enameled leather — a heavy kind of upper leather finisht with a 
shiny surface like patent leather, but in which a figure or pebble 
has been workt into the surface of the enamel. 
End — technical term for a thread of warp or weft. 
Ends — remnants. 

Engagement ring — something you work hard to save up for so 
she can "show off" among her friends until she finds someone 
else to buy her a more gorgeous one, when you may, if lucky, get 
it back. 

Engineer's cap — a flat-crowned, nearly straight c, made on a 
band, with a large visor. 

Engineer's uniform — (army) see Full dress, Dress u., White u., 
Service u., Fatigue u., et var. 

English foot — trade term for hosiery made with a seam at either 
side of the sole. See French f. 
English mourning crepe — see Crepe. 

English square — imposing name for a ready-made scarf with 
flaring ends (about 1900). 

English waist — trade term for trousers made very high in the 
back. 

English walking coat — a single-breasted cutaway frock c. with 
hip-pockets, usually made of fabrics less sedate than the formal 
black goods used for the cutaway frock or morning c. (qv). 
English yarns — worsted y. that have been well oiled before comb- 
ing, resulting in a smooth level yarn in which the fibers lie nearly 
parallel to each other. Compare French y. 

Enlisted men's uniform — (navy) see Dress, Undress, Working 
dress; (army) Full dress, Dress u., White u., Service u., Fa- 
tigue u. ; (marine corps) Full dress, Undress, Field u. ; (revenue 
cutter service) Full dress, Service dress. See also variations. 
Ensanguined undergarment — a variant of "bloody shirt". 
Ensign's uniform — see Special full dress, Full dress, Dress, 
Service dress, Evening dress, Mess dress, Undress. Also varia- 
tions. 

Enweave — to intertwine or intermix by weaving; another form 
of inweave. 

Epaulet — an ornamental badge of rank worn by certain officers 
of army, navy, etc., on the shoulders of the coat, usually a sort of 
plastron of gold bullion with gold fringe, and bearing insignia of 
rank. Now largely supplanted by shoulder knots, shoulder straps, 
etc. (Epaulette.) 

Epauls Americaines — French poking fun (?) at our wadded 
shoulders. See American shoulders. 

Epigonation — a lozenge-shaped ornament of stiffened silk bear- 
ing a cross or picture, worn hanging from the girdle by the Greek 
and Russian ministry. 



Epi 91 Eve 

Epiminikia— bands resembilng the Latin maniple (qv) worn by 
bishops, priests and deacons in the Greek and Russian churches, 
those for bishops being richly ornamented. 

Episcopal ring — a gold r., usually set with a large amethyst, sym- 
bolizing that the wearer (a bishop) is wedded to his diocese. 
Epitrachelion — a long, narrow stole worn by priests of the Greek 
and Russian churches, resembling the Latin pallium (qv). 
Equi-pede — a horseman's coat, ample skirted and long enough to 
cover the mounted rider (saddle and all) from neck to boots, a 
coat and apron in one, quickly and easily contracted to the size 
of a sack covert coat for walking and dismounted work generally. 
Erect — not stooping. 

Erkens' worsted — a fine, close twilled worsted dress or coating 
cloth resembling Venetian, the twills apparently crossing each 
other. (From name of German manufacturer.) 
Espardenas — see Alpargatas. 

Estamene — similar to serge, but having a rough, nappy face re- 
sembling cheviot. 

Etamine — a light woolen cloth similar to batiste and nun's cloth. 
Etiquette — the formalities or usages of social or professional in- 
tercourse. 

Etoffe — French for cloth. 

Eton collar — a folded shirt c, usually of white linen of medium 
hight stand, but with a broad turn-over of nearly uniform width 
all around, folded at an angle ; worn by boys. 
Eton jacket — a short j. without collar or lapels, reaching only to 
the waist line, first worn by the boys of Eton College. 
Etruscan gold — luster removed by acid, leaving it satiny yellow. 
Eugenie's wigs — knitted montero caps (qv) presented by Em- 
press Eugenie to the Arctic exploration of 1875, and so dubbed 
by the jackies. 

Even exchange — retail trade term, meaning the exchange of pur- 
chases for something else without there being any difference in 
price. 

Evening dress — the swallowtail and Tuxedo as opposed to frock 
coats for day dress and sack coats for business and lounge wear ; 
vulgarly "full dress". 

Evening dress A — (navy) a uniform to be worn on occasions of 
ceremony in the evening, to which officers are invited in their 
official capacity, such as public balls, dinners and evening recep- 
tions. Consists of — for all commissioned officers except chap- 
lains, chief boatswains, chief gunners, chief carpenters and chief 
sailmakers — evening dress coat, evening dress waistcoat (blue), 
full dress trousers, cockt hat, epaulets, sword and full dress belt, 
black tie, white gloves ; for chaplains the same as "Evening Dress 
B"; for midshipmen, the same as prescribed for commissioned 



Eve 92 Eve 

officers, substituting the blue cap for the cockt hat and shoulder 
knots for epaulets. On occasions where the full uniform would 
not be appropriate "Evening dress A" may be prescribed without 
swords and belts and with blue caps instead of cockt hats; or in 
hot weather, or in appropriate circumstances, mess dress with 
full dress trousers may be ordered. 

Evening dress B — (navy) a uniform to be worn at social evening 
occasions where officers are invited in their official capacity, and 
at dinner on board vessels other than those of the fourth rate by 
officers for whom the evening dress coat has been prescribed 
(except when the uniform of the day has been white). Consists 
of — for all commissioned officers (except chief boatswains, chief 
gunners, chief carpenters and chief sailmakers) and for midship- 
men : evening dress coat, evening dress waistcoat, blue (unless 
white is ordered), undress trousers (unless full dress trousers are 
ordered), blue cap, black tie. In hot weather or under other ap- 
propriate circumstances mess dress may be substituted. 
Evening dress coat — a skirted c. with the fore-parts cut off at the 
waistline, the skirts commencing at the hips and gradually nar- 
rowing downward, the front made with long-roll lapels, not to 
button, tho furnished with buttons and buttonholes on each side, 
the lapels usually faced with silk ; invariably made of fine black 
cloth and properly lined with black silk. 

Evening dress coat — (navy) a uniform c. similar to a civilian's e. 
d. c, of dark blue cloth with 3 large navy buttons on each breast, 
well spaced, two at the waist behind and one at the bottom of 
each fold, with sleeve marks and epaulets as prescribed for frock 
c. ; always worn open. For chaplains the same with black silk 
buttons. 

Evening dress shield — see Shirt protector. 

Evening dress shirt — trade term for fine quality white d. s. with 
extra large bosoms. 

Evening dress trousers — plain t. of same goods as the coat, but 
slightly shaped, and sometimes with a stripe of fancy braid down 
the outside seams ; in trousers for wear with the dinner jacket 
(Tuxedo) the braid is omitted. 

Evening dress trousers — (marine corps) for major general com- 
mandant and all other officers, of dark blue cloth, cut after the 
prevailing style of civilian's evening dress, but with long snug 
fitting waist, without pockets or buckle straps, suspender buttons 
inside the band, outseams trimmed with i}4 inch stripe of gold 
lace. Also white t. for wear with white mess jacket, of same cut 
but without stripe on outseams. 

Evening dress uniform — (army) a special full d. u. author- 
ized for wear on occasions of ceremony to which officers are 
invited in their official capacity, such as balls, official dinners and 
receptions, etc. : an evening dress coat of dark blue cloth cut on 



Eve 93 Ext 

the lines of the civilian dress coat, with regulation gilt buttons, 
of same number and placed as prescribed, the sleeves ornamented 
in same manner as full-dress uniform coats ; an evening waistcoat 
of dark blue or white with three small regulation buttons ; also 
full dress trousers for all officers except those of engineers, cav- 
alry, artillery and infantry, who wear dark blue trousers without 
stripes; patent leather shoes and full dress cap; shoulder orna- 
ments, etc., per regulations. For occasions of special formality 
the u. for evening functions is the same as full dress dismounted 
u. ; and this may be worn at above described occasions at discre- 
tion. On proper occasions, which are not official in character, 
officers are permitted to wear civilian evening dress. 
Evening dress waistcoat — a w. cut low to expose the shirt bosom, 
the garment being most properly single-breasted, 3 or 4 buttons 
and 2 pockets, and the opening either V or U shape, with a shawl 
collar, which is sometimes trimmed with a row of fancy braid. 
May be of black cloth to match coat and trousers or of white 
wash fabrics or silk, which latter may be plain or have a small 
figured pattern. 

Evening dress waistcoat — (navy) similar to a civilian's e. d. w., 
of dark blue cloth with four small gilt navy buttons (or black silk 
buttons for chaplains). The "white evening dress" w. to 
be of same style but of duck or similar material (if for chaplains 
with white buttons). (Marine corps) for all officers; of same 
material as corresponding mess jacket, single-breasted with four 
small marine corps buttons, rolling collar. 
Evening jacket — see Dinner j. 

Everlasting — a cloth used for breeches during the latter part of 
the 1 8th century, mostly for servants' wear. 

Examiner — in the apparel trades one who closely scrutinizes fin- 
isht garments for detection and correction of errors, flaws, etc. 
His criticism, which is final, sometimes results in further changes. 
Exchange — to receive back goods bought and give the purchaser 
something else in the place thereof. 

Expenses — the one thing that makes the boss sit up nights. 
Exposure test — generally, exposing a piece of cloth or other ma- 
terial, article or substance, to the weather, continuously for a 
number of days (usually on a roof or in some place where it is 
not likely to be meddled with) for determination of color, qual- 
ity, etc. 

Express paid — sent, not ( ?) at the receiver's expense. 
Exquisite — an ineffable clothes-wearing nuisance. 
Extension shoulders — deceptivly broad. 

Extension tree — a shoe t. having a spring, ratchet or other device 
for stretching the shoe longitudinally. 
Extra — a substitute or temporary clerk. 



Ext 94 Fac 

Extra stout — trade term for ready-made garments designed to fit 

extra corpulent or very fat persons. 

Extras — anything or lots of things not contemplated in the price ; 

the "nigger-in-the-woodpile" reason for many low prices. 

Extract wool — wool produced from waste or clips which are of 

mixt wool and cotton, the wool being extracted by a process of 

carbonization. 

Extracted — dyeing term indicating that patterns or designs in 

colors differing from the general ground color, or in white, have 

been achieved by (i) acid treatment, (2) bleaching, (3) tying and 

dyeing, (4) mordanting, etc. See Batik, Bandanna, etc. 

Eye shield — a silk or papier mache s. worn to protect weak eyes 

against light ; also to hide the effects of "somebody bumping into 

it the night before." 

Eyeglasses — lenses suitably mounted for attachment to the 

bridge of the nose, differing from spectacles in needing no bows 

across the temples or behind the ears; pince nez. 

Eyeglass chain — a safety device of gold or other metal. 

Eyeglass cord — a light silk c. for attaching eyeglasses to the 

clothes or person to prevent loss. 

Eyeglass holder — a case for holding eyeglasses when not in use ; 

of various styles, as hinged, open-end, etc., usually of leather or 

leather-covered metal. 

Eyelet — a small hole, workt around with buttonhole stitching. 

Eyeshade — a sort of visor for protecting the eyes from the glare 

of strong light. 



F 



Face — the right side or outer surface of a fabric or material. 
Face — the table or (exposed) upper part of a brilliant cut dia- 
mond or other precious stone. 
Face cloth — a c. laid on the face of a dead person. 
Face cloth — a wash c. 

Face finish — meaning, in the textil trades, the manner in which 
the face or outerside of a fabric is finisht ; as clear f., doeskin f., 
unfinisht, etc., which see. 

Face guard — a mask or covering worn by workers in chemical 
laboratories ; or by fencers, or baseball players, etc. 
Faced — having an over or underlying strip of same or different 
material for purposes of appearance or re-enforcement. See Fac- 
ing. 

Faced cloth — fabrics having a finisht face, as worsteds, in oppo- 
sition to fabrics such as tweeds, cheviots, etc. 



Fac 95 Fal 

Facet — one of the small triangular plane surfaces of a diamond or 
other gem. 

Facing — tailoring term for an underlying or overlying strip or re- 
enforcement of material, the same as or different from that of the 
garment, as (i) the strip along the inside of coat openings which 
also form the face of the lapels or revers ; (2) the strips of goods 
inside the openings of pockets so that the eyes shall not be 
offended with lining showing thru ; (3) the covering of silk laid 
on lapels or revers, to the edge or to the buttonholes ; (4) the 
contra-colored cloth, showing on the turned back skirts or revers 
of old-time military coats; (5) the strip of cloth extending all 
around the inside edges of a waistcoat from neck to bottom side 
seam, which is sometimes of undercollar cloth for the sake of a 
thinner edge; and so forth. 

Faconne — figured ; usually employed in connection with fancy 
silks. 

Factory cotton — unbleacht domestic cotton goods in contrast to 
those which are imported. 

Factory yarn — coarse, unscoured woolen y., used for knitting 
hose, mittens, etc. 

Fad — the current vogue; transient popularity. 
Fad — a hobby. 

Faga — a narrow strip or sash of silk wound several times around 
the waist. (Spain). 

Faille Francaise — a soft, lustrous silk fabric of wider cord than 
gros-grain, but narrower than ottoman. 
Fair — see Cotton classification. 
Fair shake — a fair bargain. 

Fal lal — any gaudy or trifling ornament or trinket ; foppish frip- 
pery. 

Falding — a kind of frieze, mentioned by Chaucer, approximating 
the coarse red wollen stuff still worn by Irish peasant women for 
petticoats and jackets. 

Fall bearer — that part of broadfall trousers forming the front 
waist band, and to which the fall or flap is buttoned; the b. 
also contains the pockets. See Broadfalls. Compare Narrow 
falls. 

Fall down — one of the old names for broadfalls (qv). 
Fall weight — in the cloth trade suitings of 12 to 16 ounces and 
overcoatings of 16 to 24 ounces are so known. Compare Winter 
w., Spring w., Summer w., Tropical w. 

Falling band — (1) a sort of wide turned-down collar, usually 
of linen, plain or ornamented, sometimes with floating ends or 
tabs ; worn over the neck of the doublet or jerkin of old days ; (2) 
an ecclesiastical neck-dressing. 
Falling collar — see Prussian c. 



Fal 96 Fat 

False face — what we begged pennies for when young. 
False hair — someone else's tho it covers your own bald spots. 
False teeth — of great utilitarian value but, alack! also signs of 
immoderate vanity. 

Family umbrella — facetious term for old-fashioned extra large u. 
Fan — once fops carried them ; nowadays women. 
Fan — the side of a cockt hat. 

Fancies — any merchandise not classed as staples or regulars ; 
novelties. 

Fancy back — general term for fabrics having a pattern on the 
back or underside differing from that on the face, as certain 
fancy overcoatings, raincoatings, etc. 

Fancy dress ball — an occasion where one can spend a good deal 
of money on a costume that may never be worn again — unless 
he rents some trumpery from a costumer, which nice folk are 
squeamish about doing. 
Fang — a broken or protuberant tooth. 

Farmer's satin — properly a satin wove fabric having a cotton 
warp and worsted filling, finisht with a high luster, used for coat 
linings, etc. ; also called Italian cloth. 
Fashion — the prevailing mode. 

Fashion artist — a perverse individual who has trances twice a 
year or oftener for the benefit of clothing manufacturers and 
fashion journals. 

Fashion doll — a device once extensivly used to display fashions 
in miniature. 

Fashion monger — one who affects scrupulous attention to fash- 
ion; a dandy. 

Fashion-plate — an engraving or other pictorial representation of 
the prevailing fashions of any period. 

Fashion writer — a has-been or going-to-be literary hack who 
need never be taken seriously. 

Fashionable — conforming to the prevailing mode; approved. 
Fashionable back width — tailoring term indicating a change in 
measurement of the back to correspond fashionably with width 
of shoulder. 

Fashionable tailor — one who gets the highest prices and who 
consequently caters only to the wealthy classes; one to whom 
every manufacturer of ready-made clothing goes for his own 
clothes and for ideas for his business. 
Fashionable waist — tailoring term. See Waist. 
Fast color — applied to colors supposed not to fade in washing 
or thru exposure. 
Fast dye — fast color; unfading. 

Fat man's frock — a cutaway frock coat, only the top button of 
which is intended for use ; also called "one button cutaway". 



Fat 97 Fel 

Fat man's sack — a sack coat made to be buttoned only at the 
top button, and cut away slightly from that point downward. 
Fatigue blouse — (masonic) a 5 button, single-breasted, straight 
front sack coat, without pockets and with Prussian collar. Com- 
pare Commander's coat and Sir Knight's coat. 
Fatigue coat — (army) for enlisted men: a single-breasted sack 
c. of brown cotton duck, of prescribed pattern. 
Fatigue trousers — (army) for enlisted men: of brown cotton 
duck, without stripes. 

Fatigue uniform — (army) for enlisted men dismounted : worn on 
fatigue or stable duty: f. coat, and trousers, service hat, russet 
leather shoes. 

Favors — more or less costly trivialities distributed at cotillons. 
Fay, to — to fit. "Your coat fays well". This obsolete form, a 
curtailment of "fadge", and in use during the Augustan age of 
English literature, is occasionally encountered in New England. 
F. B. Q. — proprietary name for a well-known make of ready-to- 
wear clothing, meaning "finest beyond question". 
Fearnought — a heavy fulled woolen fabric used for sailors' over- 
coats and clothing; sometimes called Dreadnought. 
Fearnought — (weaving term). See Mixing picker. 
Feather — a channel about % inch deep, extending around the 
edges of a shoe sole, along and into which holes for the stitches 
are pierced obliquely. 
Feather top — see Wig. 

Feathers — when commingled with tar a punitiv form of clothing 
worn next the body; occasionally met with in communities of 
zealously guarded morality. 
Featherweight — very light or summery. 

Fedora — a soft felt hat, the crown having a crease in the center 
from front to back. See Hombourg, Alpine, Tyrolean, etc. 
Feel — see Handle. 

Fell — felling is the act of sewing one piece of material onto an- 
other; to turn in a seam. 

Fell — archaic for hides or pelts ; also used in the sense of hairy. 
Felled edge — a variety of plain or blind e. (qv), hand-finisht, 
with a felling stitch (qv), obtaining a perfectly plain surface. 
Felled pocket — a jetted p. 
Fellers — see Finishers. 
Felling, French — see French f. 
Felling silk — see Sewing s. 

Felling stitch — an over-and-over continuous s. used to fasten 
linings onto the outer-body, to hold bindings to the edge, join 
under-collars to body, etc., the closeness of the stitches being 
regulated according to the purpose for which they are used. 



Fel 98 Fie 

Fellmonger — a trader in skins, furs, etc. 
Fellware — skins, furs, etc. 

Felt — properly a fabric made by interlocking or compacting 
wool, fur or hair, or a mixture thereof, by rolling or pressure, 
without weaving, often with the aid of glue and heat ; used ex- 
tensivly in garment trimming, etc; also a woven fabric whose 
fibers are matted by shrinking or otherwise. 
Felt shoes — s. made out of felt, wholly or in part. 
Fencing glove — a padded g., with a deep cuff or gauntlet. 
Fencing mask — a wire m. for the face, so constructed as to be 
quickly removable. 

Fencing plastron — a padded and quilted leather or canvas chest 
and side protector with a heart sewed on to jab at. 
Ferrandine — an old-time cloth, similar to poplin, of silk or silk- 
and-wool or silk-and-mohair, once used for waistcoats. 
Ferrule — the metal end-tip of an umbrella rod or cane. 
Fez — a brimless felt cap in the shape of a truncated cone, usually 
red with a black tassel, worn especially by Turks and Shriners. 
Fibrilia — a textil material made from the fibers of flax, jute, 
china grass, hemp, etc., and used as a substitute for more valu- 
able fibers; used to a limited extent in the manufacture of ho- 
siery, blankets, etc., in the proportion of 1 part to 3 of wool, 
cotton, etc. 

Fiddle — tailoring term for superogatory attentions toward a 
customer. 

Fiddleback — irreverent name for the modern chasuble. 
Field belt — (army) a b. of russet leather worn by enlisted men. 
Field breeches — (marine corps) of khaki serge or drill, to match 
f. coat, without stripe, welt or cord, loose above knees and about 
seat, fitting closely below knees and extending to tops of shoes, 
fastening with buttons and lacing or all lacing; seat re-enforced, 
suspender buttons inside of band, 4 belt loops. For major gen- 
eral command and all officers. White b. of same style may be 
worn by mounted officers in the tropics when not on duty. 
Field coat — (marine corps) for major general commandant and 
all other officers, of khaki serge or drill, of the same design as 
the white undress c. (qv) except without vent for sword, and with 
bronze buttons ; rank devices as for white c. ; for non-commis- 
sioned officers, drummers, trumpeters and privates, a single- 
breasted c. of 8 oz. khaki colored cotton material, cut half close, 
with standing collar, in length reaching to the crotch and closed 
with 5 marine corps buttons, one outside bellows-plait patch 
pocket, with flap in each breast, other trimmings, details, etc., 
as prescribed. 

Field dress — (marine corps) worn by all officers and men (1) in 
garrison when prescribed by the commanding officer, or in the 



Fie 99 Fil 

tropics; (2) for duty under arms in garrison under foregoing 
conditions ; (3) at drills, target practice, maneuvers, and on 
marches when prescribed; (4) in the field when prescribed; (5) 
when serving with marine battalions afloat in the warm season 
or in the tropics, when prescribed. Consists of, for all officers : 
f. coat, f. trousers or breeches, russet leather puttees or leggings, 
f. hat and cord or white helmet, sword with undress belt (leather 
slings) and knot, russet shoes ; if mounted, spurs and drab 
leather gloves; in the field, the flannel shirt prescribed for en- 
listed men may be worn, in place of the f. coat, with rank de- 
vices on the collar and with khaki scarf. For enlisted men : (in 
this case called f. uniform) : f. coat, f. trousers, leggings, f. hat, 
russet shoes, arms and accouterments as ordered; in the field, 
the khaki shirt may be worn, in place of the khaki coat, with a 
web belt. 

Field hat — (marine corps) for non-commissioned officers, drum- 
mers, trumpeters and privates, of felt, as sample in Quartermas- 
ter's office; worn creased from front to rear; ornaments, etc., of 
bronze, in front; for all officers, of felt, the same as for enlisted 
men, creased from front to rear, with a double cord of scarlet- 
and-gold with acorns at ends ; bronze corps device in front. 
Field stock — same as stock or neck-s. 

Field trousers — (marine corps) for major general commandant 
and all other officers, of same material as f. coat, without stripe, 
welt or cord; may be worn without leggings in camp or garri- 
son; for non-commissioned officers, drummers, trumpeters and 
privates of same material as coat and same pattern as white linen 
undress t. 

Field uniform — see F. dress. 

Fielder's glove — a heavily padded, stout leather g., with a web 
(connected) thumb, worn by baseball players. 
Fielder's mitt — about same as basemen's m. (qv). 
Fifth avenue — a street in New York city supposed to house the 
elite and elect of tailordom in America ; also specially mentioned 
for its Sunday dress parades of the "smart set", and particularly 
that of Easterday. A name also prominently figuring on the 
window price tickets of misfit shops. 

Fig leaf — a primitiv and scanty form of makeshift garment in- 
vented by Adam and Eve, the first garment makers of history, 
sufficiently described by its name ; now obsolete to the relief of 
the W. C. T. U., Y. M. C. A., et al. 
Fighting gloves — see Boxing g. 

Fil au Chinois — name given to a well-known ball linen thread 
made in France, waxt ready for use and of extra strength, for 
tailors, shoemakers, dressmakers, leather-workers, etc. 
Fil au Tonkinois — a stout sewing: thread similar to fil au Chinois. 



Fil ioo Fin 

Fil guipe — a rolled or covered thread or cord of silk and tinsel, 
usually with cotton center, used in manufacture of trimming 
laces, etc. 

Filature — the delicate untwisted silk threads as reeled from the 
cocoons, also called raw silk. 

File silk — a fonetic corruption. See Faille Francaise. 
Filibeg— the Highland kilt. 

Filled cloth — general term for any woolen cloth that has been 
felted or loaded with flocks (qv) for weight, body or strength— 
or cheapness. 

Filler cork — ground c. mixt with rubber cement or some sticky 
substance and used for filling in the hollow in the bottom of a 
shoe before the outer sole is placed on or attacht to a shoe. 
Filler felt — a piece of f. used instead of cork filler, for the same 
purpose and in the same way. 

Filling — the woof or weft threads of a woven fabric. 
Financial circles — slang for dollars. 

Findings — the required amounts of canvas, wigan, holland, tape, 
lining, felt, haircloth, buttons, etc., necessary to a garment. 
Fine — see Wool. 

Fine — term used in connection with gold or bullion trimming 
braids, indicating highest quality (in the sense, perhaps, that 
f. gold means pure). An inferior quality is known as mi-fine. 
Fine as silk — a simile of comparison, implying excellence. 
Fine cut — a delectable preparation of nicotiana tabacum. 
Fine delaine — wool classification term. See Wool. 
Fine-draw — to sew and close up a rent, seam, etc., with fine 
thread and delicate workmanship so that the joint is scarcely per- 
ceptible. See next. 

Fine-drawing stitch — a practically invisible s. employed when 
the material is too thin or too ravelly for stoating or rentering, 
and for mending tears. The edges are placed together, as in 
stoating, except that they are not trimmed, the fray helping to 
cover the join. A fine needle and fine silk must be used. The 
needle passes in and out, catching the material lightly and with- 
out coming to the surface on the right side, making very short 
stitches and purposely coming uneven distances on either side of. 
the join, distributing the strain, which would be plainly visible 
were the distances even. 

Fine-tooth comb — a search warrant. (Definition vulgar.) 
Finery — gay apparel ; gewgaws ; good things to avoid. 
Finger cot — a covering of leather, rubber, etc., for protection to 
injured fingers. 

Finger guard — (i) a protectiv shield of leather, rubber, etc., 
worn by marksmen, sailmakers, corn huskers, etc. ; (2) a f. cot 



Fin 101 Fir 

or stall, or protectiv covering, worn in case of accidents, by- 
workers in chemicals, etc. 

Finger ring — something affording a fine chance for the display 
of one's bad taste; nowadays just a gaud; formerly of much 
significance. 

Finishers — in clothing manufacture, expert needle-workers who 
fell-on or "finish" the basted-on collars, sleeves, linings, etc. 
Finishing — general term for any and all the processes of prepar- 
ing fabrics for market, as fulling, steaming, shearing, singeing, 
calendering, glazing, inspecting, etc. 

Finishing — a process in hat manufacture where, after blocking 
and subsequent hydraulic pressure, stiff hats are placed upon 
wooden blocks and by manipulation with pouncing paper, etc., 
are smoothed and polished, and the brims trimmed to model 
dimensions. 
Fir wool — see Pine w. 

Fire — the interposition of Providence to (some) shopkeepers. 
Fire Department uniforms — (Chicago) Dress coat: a double- 
breasted close fitting sack c. of dark blue cloth, made to button 
close to the neck with combination lapel-rolling collar; of a 
length reaching to the tips of the fingers, with 2 inside breast 
pockets, no outside pockets but with a double-scalloped flap, as 
for a pocket, on each breast outside; 2 buttons on each sleeve 
and with buttons on breast as follows: marshal, 9 each breast, 
grouped in 3's; assistant marshal and chiefs of battalion, 8 each 
breast, in pairs ; company officers, 4 each breast, equidistant ; 
firemen, same as for company officers, but no sleeve buttons. 
Fatigue coat: a single-breasted square cut sack c. of dark blue 
flannel, of same general specifications ; vest and trousers to 
match. Overcoat: a double-breasted frock coat of dark blue 
cloth, with combination lapel-rolling collar, buttoning close to 
the neck, with same number and arrangement of buttons as de- 
scribed under Dress c. except that there are 5 on each breast, 
equidistant, for company officers and men; the coat in length 2 
inches below knee ; all seams lapt, raw ; the skirt to be cut on the 
fold of the goods without opening, with 2 buttons at waist seam 
and 2 on each side of skirt plaits ; 1 outside breast and 2 outside 
skirt pockets with scallopt flaps ; 1 inside breast pocket. In- 
signia per regulations. 

Fire department uniforms — (New York) Dress coat: a double- 
breasted close-fitting sack c. of dark blue cloth, cut to button to 
the neck, with rolling collar, and to reach midway between hip 
and knee, without outside pockets but with 2 inside breast pock- 
ets, lining of red cloth or flannel, 3 buttons on each sleeve and 
on the breast as follows : for chief of department, 2 rows of 8, 
grouped in pairs; for deputy chief of department and chiefs of 
battalion, same except spaced equidistant; for company officers, 



Fir 1 02 Fis 

2 rows of 7, equidistant ; for engineers of steamers and men, a 
single-breasted squarecut c. with 6 buttons ; in summer an un- 
lined c. of dark blue flannel ; vest and trousers to match. Over- 
coat: a double-breasted frock coat of dark blue cloth, reaching to 
the knee, made to button close to the neck, with 2 rows of 8 but- 
tons grouped in pairs for chief of department and for all other 
officers and members 2 rows of 5 equidistant; the body and skirt 
to be lined with red cloth or flannel ; the skirt, which is open be- 
hind, trimmed with 2 rows of 3 buttons; 3 buttons on each 
sleeve; no outside pockets, but 1 inside breast pocket. For 
officers attacht to fireboats, a double-breasted sack overcoat, 
buttoning to neck with 5 buttons on each breast, spaced equally ; 
ulster collar ; 2 circular outside breast pockets ; length 2/3 of 
knee ; lined with red cloth. Insignia on coats as per regulation. 
Fire marshal's dress coat — see Fire department uniforms. 
Fire sale — faky. 
Fire test — see Flame t. 

Firemen's cap — (New York) a dark blue cloth cap of navy 
pattern, with visor of black patent leather, with insignia of rank 
as prescribed by regulations. 

Firemen's dress coat — see Fire department uniforms. 
Firemen's fatigue coat — see Fire department uniforms. 
Firemen's hats — (New York) for summer wear, a hat of Mack- 
inaw straw, white for all officers (except those attacht to fire- 
boats), and brown for all other members; sides 3^4 inches high, 
slightly tapering to crown; black silk band. 

Firemen's helmets — (New York) for chief of department, deputy 
chiefs and chiefs of battalion, a white helmet with 8 cones having 
a gilt front depending from a gilt eaglehead and attacht thereto 
in front with insignia of rank painted thereon in black and red, 
with title in black letters on scroll of gold ; for officers of engine 
and hook and ladder companies, same, but of black with a white 
front, with insignia variously differentiated ; for engineers of 
steamers, an all-black helmet with title and number black on 
white ; for firemen of hook and ladder companies, black with red 
front, with number, etc., in white. 
Firemen's overcoat — see Fire department uniforms. 
First pressing — in clothing manufacture the operation of press- 
ing-off a garment, as a coat, preparatory to marking and sewing 
on buttons. Compare Under-pressing and After-p. 
Fish— a dart or V. See Dart. 
Fish bag — see Live net. 

Fish-eye face — trade name for pearl and other buttons having a 
slightly rounded f. across which an oval slit is cut holding two 
holes to sew thru. 
Fishing boot — same as hunting b. (qv) without the hobnails. 



Fis 103 Fla 

Fishing cape — a plain c. of any waterproof material, worn as a 
protection against rain. 

Fishing glove — a g. of soft leather, loose fitting, with fingers cut 
half length. 

Fishing hat — almost any old thing with a wide brim ; name some- 
times applied to a light muslin, wide brimmed h. on a wire frame. 
Fishing helmet — a sort of storm hat. 

Fitters — in clothing manufacture the workmen who inspect and 
assemble the parts of garments as received from the cutting de- 
partment. 

Fittings — tailoring term for the necessary pieces of cloth for fac- 
ings, pocket welts, etc. Compare Findings. 

Flambustious — showy ; gaudy ; or good ; as "we will have a flam- 
bustious time". If this word is derived from "flam", a lie or 
cheat, a certain transition of meaning has occurred. 
Flame tests — pure dye silk will shrivel up immediately where 
flame is applied, leaving a dull leaden color without fire; 
weighted silk retains flame after match is removed and may 
either shrivel or burn up ; cotton or other substitute or adulter- 
ant, except wool, will burn until consumed ; wool chars much 
like silk. 

Flanging — a process in hat manufacture subsequent to curling, 
binding and trimming, whereby further and final shape is given 
to the brims. 

Flannel — (1) general name for a large variety of soft finisht all- 
wool fabrics, usually loosely woven of coarse lightly twisted 
yarns and but very slightly fulled, tho commonly well teasled. 
For men's wear generally a very superior grade, of twill weave, 
fulled to a degree resembling cheviot. See also Mackinaw f., 
Navy twills, Shirting f., Shaker f., Baby f., etc. ; (2) weaving 
term for undyed cloths and suiting fabrics as they come from 
the loom and before they reach the dye vat. 

Flannelette — a stout half-cotton or all-cotton flannel-like fabric, 
loom figured and close napt. See Outing cloth. 
Flannels — colloquial for (1) summer outing suits (usually coat 
and trousers) of flannel, properly in white or light colorings ; and 
(2) for winter woolen undergarments. 

Flap — a limber hanging part ; a covering for pockets in garments. 
Flap — the shield or falling front part of front-fall trousers. 
Flap-pad — see Pad and Looney. 

Flapped pocket — a p. with a flap over its opening. Compare 
Welted p. 

Flare — an outward spreading or widening, as of the skirts of a 
coat. 

Flashy — showy, meretricious. 
Flask funnel — a device to assist you in not wasting it. 



Fla 104 Flo 

Flat back — tailor's term for a man over-erect with a narrow back 
and full chest. 

Flat bound — in tailoring an edge finish obtained by the use of a 
wide silk or other braid laid widely on the face or outer surface 
and but narrowly underneath and over the edge, then stitcht 
onto the two surface edges and prest, obtaining a flattened 
effect. 

Flat braid — formed by a number of threads laid zigzag and 
crossing each other alternately over and under. See Silk b. 
Flat button — not hollowed, or rounded, or shaped in any way — 
a general term. 
Flat buttonhole — see Satin b. 
Flat foot — needing an arch support (qv). 

Flat goods — trade term for hosiery, underwear, etc., not soft 
ribbed or fashioned. 

Flat iron — trade term for a style in shoes popular several years 
ago, quite pointed at the toe but widening sharply to the ball of 
the foot, resembling a flat iron in shape, hence name. 
Flat last — trade term for shoes with the soles resting flat on the 
ground. Compare Rocking 1. 
Flat seam — see Pique s. 

Flat set — hatter's term for very flat hat brims. 
Flax comb — a hatchel. 
Fleece — see Wool. 
Flesher — one who fleshes hides. 

Fleshers — trade name for split glove skins as received from 
abroad. 

Fleshing — a process in the curing and dressing of furs and 
leather: removing the flesh and fat from the skin. 
Fleshings — properly, flesh-colored tights ; loosely, tights in gen- 
eral, particularly if liberally exhibiting the anatomy. 
Fleuret silk — same as Spun s. 

Float — in weaving, the passage of a filling thread under or over 
several warp threads without being engaged by them. 
Flock — short refuse or finely powdered wool waste or dust used in 
finishing cheap woolens. (Flocks.) See Extract wool. 
Floorwalker — a smooth gentleman, hired to add dignity to a 
store, who directs you to some place you did not ask for. 
Florentine — (1) a heavy silk fabric, woven figured or plain 
twilled, chiefly used for waistcoats ; (2) a worsted waistcoating 
material ; (3) a twilled cotton fabric for summer trousers. 
Floret — trade term for the longest and finest fibers of spun silk 
(qv) after carding. (Fleuret.) 

Florist — a shopkeeper with whom young dandies become inti- 
mate before marriage and forget afterward. 



Flo 105 Foo 

Flossy — giddy, foppish, fussy, affected (perhaps both in brain 
and apparel). 

Flower buttonhole — see Lapel b. 
Flunky — (1) liveried man-servant; (2) a toady. 
Flush — to float or pass weft threads over several warp threads, 
as in twill and satin weaving. 

Flushing coat — something worn about 1825, but not indentified. 
Fly — a placket for closing or fastening together sides or parts 
of a garment, as of an overcoat or trousers, so as to conceal the 
buttons or other means of fastening. Specially designated as 
blind f., box f., French f., open f. (qv). 

Fly coat — a long jacket reaching about half way to the knees, 
worn previous to the Revolution. 

Fly front — tailoring term for coats made with an arrangement 
for concealing the buttons or other fastenings ; a sort of placket 
of which the underpart engages the buttons, hooks, etc. Trous- 
ers also are f.-f. (except front falls). 

Fob — (1) a pendant attachment to a watch, usually of silk, with 
gold buckle, slide, ring, seal or other ornament; an article of 
jewelry most variously made ; (2) a watch pocket in a trousers 
waistband. 

Fob pocket — see Watch p. 

Fob ribbon — heavy, close woven, plain edged gros-grain or fine 
ribbed faille silk r. made especially for watch fobs. 
Fold-back cuffs — shirt c, usually attacht to the garment, made 
double or folded backward. Also called French c. 
Folded collar — a double or folded-over shirt c, usually high- 
banded. 

Folded cuffs — see Fold-back c. 

Folding cane — a walking stick with a concealed joint at about 
half its length, to enable it to fold and be carried in a suit case or 

grip- 
Fool's cap — a conical paper c. worn penitentially by the school 
cut-up. 

Foot bath — a vessel for bathing the feet. 
Foot boy — a boy in livery ; a page. 

Foot cloth — (1) a cloth or carpet to walk upon on occasions of 
ceremony; (2) a deep housing or state caparison for a horse; a 
sumptor c. 

Footease — proprietary name for a powder to "shake into your 
shoes" as a fetich against walking aches. 

Foot-form — shoes constructed on anatomical or foot-fitting lasts ; 
orthopedic; waukenphast (qv). 

Foot glove — a heavy, coarse woolen or felt oversock, worn over 
shoes while driving, etc., for warmth. 
Foot hawker — a peripatetic peddler; a tray or pushcart merchant. 



Foo 1 06 For 

Foot-mantle — see Safeguard. 
Foot muff — a muffler; a fur bag for the feet. 
Foot powder — a chemical preparation shaken into the shoes for 
relieving perspiration, aches, odors, etc. 
Foot scraper — see Shoe s. 

Foot-sheet — a square or oblong cloth laid upon floor or chairs 
for invalids to sit upon during toilet, changing of bedding, etc. 
Foot-stone — a small memorial tablet at the foot of a grave. 
Foot-straps — the buckled straps used to hold down the panta- 
loons and trousers of the early part of the last century. 
Foot-warmer — any contrivance for warming the feet in carriages, 
in bed, etc., as (1) a muff, (2) a metal container having slow- 
burning cartridges of carbon; (3) a hot brick; (4) a hot-water 
bottle ; (5) an electric warming pad ; (6) a night policeman's 
club. 

Football jacket — a sort of stout canvas cuirass, armless, laced up 
the front. 

Football leg guards — see Shin g. 

Football mouthpiece — protectiv chewing gum for scrimmages. 
Football pads — quilted leather p. for elbows and shoulders, worn 
inside the jersey or sweater. 

Football pants — knickerbockers of canvas, khaki, etc., padded, 
quilted, and sometimes with reed guards sewed into the upper 
leg. 

Football shoe — a s. laced well down towards toes with ankle- 
padding, and spikes or cleats on soles. 
Footgear — shoes and so forth. 

Foothold — a light skeleton overshoe of rubber protecting the 
fore-sole, but without heel, kept on by a heel strap. 
Footman's livery — house dress : footman's coat, Valencia or 
plush waistcoat, trousers, shoes, white tie; or court 1. (qv) ; on 
the carriage, he should wear the second man's 1. 
Fop — cross between dandy and dude. 

Forage cap — a small, low cloth c. with a peak, once worn by 
officers and men (U. S. A.) when not in dress uniform. 
Forchet — old spelling of fourchette (qv). 
Forelock — a lock of hair growing over the forehead. 
Forepart — that part of a coat or vest covering the chest. 
Forest wool — a textil fiber made from pine needles treated with a 
soda solution, and otherwise manipulated, spun and woven into a 
resemblance of coarse wool, and manufactured on a considerable 
scale into blankets and clothing of the cheaper grades, said to be 
warm and durable ; called wald wolle in Germany, where best 
known. Compare Xylolin. 



For 107 Fow 

Forester's uniform — (Forestry service) material a brownish 
green woolen or cotton khaki as adopted by the army; coat a 
combination of the army officer's coat and a business sack coat, 
fitting snugly about chest but rather loosely about hips and waist, 
with blouse (Prussian) collar, 2 outside buttoned bellowsed pock- 
ets and bronze buttons of the service ; vest optional ( ?) ; trousers 
either ordinary or cavalry style riding breeches ; shirt of gray 
flannel with 2 buttoned breast pockets; hat of light-colored felt, 
similar to army service hat ; riding boots or leggings should be 
worn with riding breeches and high-topt, heavy shoes, prefer- 
ably of surveyor's or hunting pattern, with trousers ; gloves of 
buckskin, short or army gaunlet pattern; overcoat same as uni- 
form material but heavier, double-breasted, ankle length, with 
deep riding vent, 2 inside and 2 outside vertical pockets, broad 
collar. 

Forestry cloth — a twill-woven, clear-finisht worsted fabric of 
standard olive-drab color, made in several weights for suitings, 
coatings, shirtings, etc. Adopted by the government for the 
forestry service. 

Fork — the os coccygis; the crotch. 

Form — tone, smartness, propriety, stylishness, carriage, appear- 
ance, demeanor. 

Form — a model or dummy for trying on or displaying any article 
of apparel or other merchandise. 

Form fitting — following the lines of the body closely. 
Forming — a process in hat manufacture wherein the fur is at- 
tracted to a perforated fan by air-suction, then covered with 
cloths and dipped in warm water and afterward "hardened" by 
careful manipulation and rolling to make the fibers knit together. 
Forward stock — the merchandise actually before the customer. 
Compare Reserve s. 

Foulard — properly a light weight silk fabric, woven plain or 
twilled, printed with an all-over pattern, the designs of which 
are white or color of the fabric, the background solid color. 
Fountain pen — doubtless invented to spoil waistcoats. 
Four-cornered cap — see Mortarboard. 

Four hole — trade term for buttons pierced with 4 holes or eyes. 
Four hundred — McAllisterian thaumaturgy. 

Fourchette — the inner sides of glove fingers. If you will ex- 
amine a glove it will be seen that it is cut all of one piece with 
the exception of the thumb and the fourchettes, for which the 
remaining fragments of the skin are used. 

Fourinhand — a long necktie narrow where it goes around the 
collar but with widened ends, tied in a sailor knot. 
Fownes — trade diminutiv for the general line of gloves made 
by Fownes Bros. & Co., London. 



Fox 1 08 Fre 

Fox — a piece of leather applied over the upper-leather of a shoe, 
next to the sole, either for ornament or repair. See Foxed. 
Fox — a canine mammal whose pelt is highly esteemed for winter 
garments. 
Fox tail — see Wig. 

Foxt — a word usually used as f. quarter, f. top or upper. Foxt 
designates a peculiar pattern or style for the upper of a shoe. 
(Foxed.) See Fox. 
Frame — the metal ribs of an umbrella. 

Frame made — trade term for fabric gloves knitted without seams. 
Frameless spectacles — s. (qv) without frame or rim around the 
lenses. 

Frangipanni — a perfume derived from or imitating the odor of 
the (West Indian) red jasmin. 

Franklin avenue — a street in St. Louis having a number of small 
cheap clothing shops (compare South street and Halstead 
street) ; a local synonym for cheap clothing. 
Fray — to ravel, to loosen ; employed in describing cloth too soft 
or too loosely woven to hold stitches in a raw edge or seam. 
Freak — anything monstrous, extreme in style, vulgarly ostenta- 
tious ; a senseless innovation ; outre. 

French back — trade term for a soft-twilled woolen backing of 
different weave from the face, formed on the underside of clear- 
finisht worsteds, as trouserings, and other fabrics, with the ob- 
ject of increasing weight or stability without adding appreciably 
to the cost, or as a means of reducing cost. 

French back — an overcoat (a modification of a Chesterfield) with 
a graceful shapely back and a long center vent usually reaching 
to the waist line, the side seams to the waist line being commonly 
French-prest inverted plaits; made to button in front with a fly 
or to button thru as in a body coat. 

French calf — indicating calfskin shoe leather produced by (1) 
a particular and standard method of tanning or finishing; (2) a 
c. skin tanned and finished in France. 

French cambric — a very fine quality of cambric used for hand- 
kerchiefs, etc. 

French coney — imitation sealskin. 
French cuffs — see Foldback c. 

French edge — in leather goods manufacture, as luggage, an edge 
seamed outwardly, sewn thru and thru ; "cobbler sewed". 
French facing — the inside cloth facing of a coat, so cut as to ex- 
tend around the armholes. 
French fall — see Falling band. 

French falls — the top boots of the XVI. century, having wide, 
flaring tops that were turned down and then turned up again; 
also known as bucket tops. 



Fre 109 Fri 

French felling — in tailoring a method of holding two pieces of 
material together, as the forepart and the facing of an edge. 
The parts to be joined are laid flat, edges even, right sides within. 
The needle is past straight thru, at right angles with the edge 
and close to it from underneath, upwards. The goods are then 
turned right side out and the edge finisht with stitching as de- 
sired, the felling being intended to hold the edge and prevent 
raveling. 

French fly — see Blind f. 

French foot — trade term for hosiery made with a single seam in 
the center of the sole. See English f. 

French neck — (1) in tailoring, meaning a finish given to the 
back of the neck of a waistcoat by means of a double strip of lin- 
ing material instead of the cloth from which the garment is made, 
for purposes of thinness, permitting the coat collar to set closer 
to the shirt c. ; (2) in underwear, a crocheted instead of a welted 
or seamed n. 

French percale — see Percale. 

French prest — tailoring term applied usually to seams that are 
sharply prest; as, the skirts of dress and frock coats; inverted 
plaits in sack and overcoats. (F. pressed.) 
French seal — "electric" seal; imitation. 

French seams — first sewed outside out, then turned in and sewed 
again, so that the edges of the seam are concealed. 
French serge — a fine twilled, closely woven s. 
French sizes — name given to various peculiar methods of desig- 
nating the sizes of shoes by stamping numerals or letters on the 
inside lining of the shoe. See Appendix. 

French system — weaving term for worsted yarns spun on mules, 
usually from shorter staple than required for the Bradford s. 
(qv), well adapted for soft-faced goods and velour finishes. 
French toe— in shoemaking, a wide, plain t. without cap. 
French waist — trade term for trousers made without a sewed-on 
waistband. 

French yarns — worsted y. combed dry, without oil, resulting in a 
fairly fuzzy or wooly strand, but which, however, is less liable 
to shrink than y. spun by the English system. Compare Eng- 
lish y. 

Fribble — a trifling or frivolous affectation or fad. 
Fried egg — a low flat hat. 
Friend — a borrower. 

Frieze — a thick, stout, double-woven, napt woolen overcoat- 
ing, woven of long fleece doubled after spinning, thoroly fulled 
after weaving and slightly felted until waterproof and windproof , 
and finisht with a long, unsheared shaggy nap. Said to have 



Fri no Ful 

originated in Friesland, whence name, but better known thru 
the Irish or near-Irish varieties. 

Fright wig — general term for any monstrosity in the (theatrical) 
wig line. 

Frill — an ornamental strip of material gathered at the attacht 
edge, the other edge being free ; a flounce ; a ruffle. 
Frills — affected airs or manners in dress or ornament ; fopperies. 
Frippery — tawdry finery. 

Frize holland — a superior grade of fine bleacht Holland linen, 
once used largely for shirts, etc. 

Frock-Chesterfield — a single-breasted, fly-front overcoat, with a 
waist seam, a three-seam back as in a frock coat, and with skirts 
without plaits (1907). 

Frock coat — properly a c. either single or double-breasted, con- 
structed of parts known as forepart (which in double-breasted 
coats is divided at the front line of the chest), sidebody, divided 
backpart and skirt, of each 2, the backparts continuing down to 
the bottom, joining with the skirt parts and forming the plaits 
behind, in which pockets are sometimes placed ; when the skirts 
in front are cutaway from a point near the waistline the word 
cutaway is prefixt to distinguish from the more formal garment, 
"Prince Albert", as the double-breasted f. is commonly known ; 
the "cutaway frock" (of which the [English] walking c. is a vari- 
ation) is almost invariably single-breasted and consequently not 
made with divided foreparts. 

Frock coat — (navy) for all officers, a c. similar in cut to a civi- 
lian's f. c, but of dark blue cloth, double-breasted, with 2 
rows of large navy buttons, 9 each, buttoning on the six lower 
buttons; the sleeves, collar and shoulders bearing the insignia 
prescribed for the rank of the wearer. 

Frocking — coarse cotton jean; drilling; dungaree; fustian. 
Frog — an ornamental cloak or coat button or fastening of silk or 
wool crocheted or braided in various fancy forms. 
Frog — (i)an old term for a seaman's coat or frock; (2) a leather 
pocket or case for a pistol, bayonet or cutlass. 
Front — a one-word epigram for appearance — clothes, manners, 
etc. 

Front facing — in coat and vest making the strip of goods form- 
ing the inside forepart or edge of the garment. 
Front-falls — trousers not made with a single fly-opening, but 
with a wide front flap, buttoning on both sides. 
Frosts — spiked soles for walking on ice (early 18th century). 
Fudge wheeling — an ornamental process in the finishing of the 
edges of shoe soles. 

Full-baste — tailoring term for a coat or other garment ready for 
try-on with every seam basted, instead of some of the seams be- 
ing sewed up. 



Ful 1 1 1 Ful 

Full bellows tongue — a tongue in a laced shoe, attacht to both 
sides of the tops of the shoe at the opening and filling completely 
this opening. 
Full bottom — see Wig. 

Full box — lingo for a very loose effect in overcoats. 
Full chested — bulgy. 
Full dress — see Evening d. 

Full dress — (army) the prescribed uniform worn on state oc- 
casions at home and abroad ; when receiving or calling upon the 
President or upon the ruler or member of royal family of other 
countries; and at ceremonies and entertainments when it is de- 
sirable to do special honor to the occasion, or when f. d. is pre- 
scribed for enlisted men. For general officers, dismounted; f. d. 
coat and trousers, chapeau, epaulets, sash, white gloves, f. d. 
belt, saber, black shoes ; same, mounted : f . d. coat, dress breeches, 
f. d. cap, shoulder knots, sash, drab leather gloves, f. d. belt, 
saber, black boots, spurs; officers of staff corps and departments: 
officers of cavalry, artillery, infantry and engineers, dismounted : 
f. d. coat and trousers, f. d. cap, white gloves, f. d. belt, saber, 
black shoes, and aigulets and shoulder belts for those authorized 
to wear them ; same, mounted : f . d. coat, dress breeches, f . d. 
cap, drab leather gloves, f. d. belt, black boots, spurs ; aigulets 
and shoulder belts as authorized ; chaplains, dismounted : 
f . d. coat and trousers, chaplain's hat, white gloves, black shoes ; 
same, mounted: f. d. coat, dress breeches, drab leather gloves, 
black boots, spurs, chaplain's hat; for enlisted men, worn at re- 
views, parades, and other ceremonies under arms, unless other- 
wise prescribed ; dismounted : dress coat, with breast cord, dress 
trousers, dress cap, black shoes, white gloves, russet leather belt 
and cartridge box; mounted: dress coat with breast cord, dress 
breeches, dress cap, leggings, russet leather shoes, drab leather 
gloves, spurs, saber belt, and cartridge box (when prescribed). 
Full dress — (navy) worn on ceremonial occasions such as mak- 
ing or exchanging visits with officers of flag rank, foreign offi- 
cials, etc., and on ceremonies and entertainments where "dress" 
is not sufficient. Consists of — for all commissioned officers, ex- 
cept chaplains, chief boatswains, chief gunners, chief carpenters 
and chief sailmakers : f . d. trousers, cockt hat, epaulets, sword 
and f. d. belt, scarf, white gloves, medals and badges ; for the 
officers excepted above and for warrant officers, mates and clerks, 
the same as "Undress A", and for midshipmen, the same as pre- 
scribed for commissioned officers, substituting the blue cap for 
the cockt hat and shoulder knots for epaulets. 
Full dress — (marine corps) to be worn by officers on occasions 
of ordinary ceremony, such as usual reviews, inspections, street 
parades, etc.; by enlisted men on occasions of ceremony when 
officers appear in special f. d. or f. d. uniform, and when ordered 



Ful 112 Ful 

by commanding officer ; and by members of the band on occa- 
sions of parades or reviews when officers appear in special f. d. 
or f. d. uniform and when ordered by commanding officer. Con- 
sists of — for major general commanding: f. d. coat, f. d. or white 
trousers, chapeau, f. d. cap or white helmet, sash, sword with 
f. d. belt and knot, shoulder knots, white gloves, black shoes, 
white standing collar (or, when mounted, dark blue riding 
breeches, drab leather gloves, black boots with spurs) ; for offi- 
cers of the line : a similar uniform except no chapeau or sash ; 
for officers of staff: a similar uniform except aigulets instead 
of shoulder knots, no chapeau or sash ; for enlisted men (includ- 
ing non-commissioned officers, drummers and trumpeters) : f. d. 
coat, blue or white trousers, f. d. cap or white helmet, white 
gloves, black leather shoes, arms and accouterments as ordered ; 
for leader, drum major and all members of band : f. d. coat, blue 
or white trousers, special f. d. cap or white helmet (shako for 
drum-major only), epaulets (leader only), shoulder knots, aigu- 
lets (except for drum-major) sword with f. d. knot and belt, 
(leader only) white gloves, black leather shoes, accouterments 
as ordered. 

Full dress — (revenue cutter service) worn by officers on oc- 
casions of special ceremony and quarterly muster on board ves- 
sels of first and second rate; first visits to commanders of war 
vessels and military posts, parades of ceremony, etc. ; consists 
of frock coat, plain dark blue trousers, epaulets, chapeau, sword, 
f. d. belt and sword knot. 

Full dress belt — for naval officers of the rank of rear admiral and 
higher, of dark blue cloth with gold stripes of prescribed widths 
and with blue cloth sling straps likewise decorated ; for com- 
missioned officers, with certain exceptions, of dark blue silk 
webbing, with woven gold stripes. 

Full dress breeches — (marine corps) for all mounted officers, of 
same material, and with same stripes, as f. d. trousers cut as pre- 
scribed for field b.; worn with black boots and spurs. 
Full dress cap — (army) for all officers, a c. of dark blue cloth, 
with drooping visor of black patent leather and a flat gold cap- 
strap, with bands of gold lace and velvet and insignia according 
to rank. 

Full dress cap— (marine corps) of fine dull-finisht dark blue 
cloth, the sides 2>Va m - deep * n front and 3^ in. in back, the top 
flat and slightly oval and flaring out slightly, the visor dropt at 
an angle of about 6o° from the horizontal. For major general 
commandant, having a band of dark blue velvet U/4 in. wide, 
embroidered all around with gold oak leaves, the visor covered 
with dark blue cloth, the top trimmed with loops of narrow gold 
soutache braid, and otherwise finisht and decorated as prescribed. 
For all other officers, the same, except the band is of gold lace ; 



Ful 113 Ful 

the visor for officers of line and staff to be ornamented with gold 
thread, and for company officers and captains in the staff of plain 
black patent leather; for non-commissioned officers, drummers, 
trumpeters and privates, a similar c, but with a band of scarlet 
cloth lapseamed to blue sides, red worsted soutache ornament 
on top of c. ; other details per specifications; for leader of the 
band, second leader and musicians, same as prescribed for special 
full-dress. For drum-major, a shako of black lambskin, 8% in. 
high in front, 10 in. high in back, plain red cloth top and red 
cloth bag trimmed with gold soutache braid, gilt chin strap form 
under chin, and 12 in. red, white and blue vulture feather plume, 
on right side. 

Full dress coat — (army) a double-breasted frock c. of dark blue 
cloth with a standing collar, 2 gilt buttons at back of waist and 1 
near the end of each plait behind; the skirt to extend from one- 
half to three-quarters of the distance from hip to knee. For gen- 
eral officers: collar and cuffs of blue-black velvet; for other offi- 
cers, collar of same material as c, no cuffs. Buttons in front: 
for general, 2 rows of 12, placed by 4's ; lieutenant general, 2 rows 
of 10, placed 3 upper and lower, 4 in middle; major general, 2 
rows of 9, placed by 3's; colonel, lieutenant colonel and ma^or, 
2 rows of 9, spaced equally ; captain, first and second lieutenants, 
2 rows of 7 equally spaced. For chief of engineers, same as for 
general officers, except that a piping of scarlet velvet appears on 
upper and outer edges of lapels, continuing down the edges of 
the coat to bottom of skirt and from top of back flaps to bottom 
of skirt, with a skirt facing of scarlet velvet ; for other officers of 
engineer corps, similar piping and facing, but of scarlet cloth. 
For all officers, sleeve, collar and shoulder ornaments as pre- 
scribed by regulation. 

Full dress coat — (marine corps) for major general commandant 
and all line officers, a double-breasted frock c. of dark blue cloth, 
in length 1 in. below crotch, with standing collar, 2 rows of large 
marine corps buttons wider apart at top than at bottom (9 placed 
in 3's for major general commandant, 8 equidistant for other offi- 
cers), 2 pockets in skirt folds, collars and cuffs with trimmings 
prescribed for rank of wearer. For officers of staff, a single- 
breasted tunic of dark blue cloth, in length 1 in. below crotch, 
with closed skirt behind, trimmed as for line officers, but with- 
out pockets, standing collar, and with trimmings as prescribed; 
aigulets and shoulder knots with f. d. and special f. d. For non- 
commissioned officers and privates, a single-breasted tunic of 
dark blue cloth, reaching 1 in. below crotch, 8 large marine corps 
buttons in front and 2 in back at end of waist seam, standing 
collar, the coat piped down front, around the bottom and up the 
plaits of the skirt to waist seam with y% in. scarlet cloth ; scarlet 
shoulder straps and sleeve bands and other details as prescribed. 
For drummers and trumpeters, a c. of the same style, except 



Ful 114 Ful 

that it is of scarlet cloth with white piping, black collar, black 
shoulder straps and black sleeve bands, these straps piped with 
white; for leader of the band, a tunic of dark blue cloth, same 
patterns as prescribed for staff officers, except: the breast 
trimmed across with J /& in. gold tubular braid and 3 rows of 
marine corps buttons, 7 each row; cuffs trimmed as prescribed 
for first lieutenant without the scarlet backing. For second 
leader of band, a f.-d. c. of scarlet cloth, made as prescribed for 
enlisted men of the line, except: the collar of black broadcloth 
piped with white ; front and bottom edges and back of skirt plaits 
to waist piped with white ; front trimmed across with black mo- 
hair braid (in the same manner as undress c. of officers) and 
with 3 rows of marine corps buttons, 7 each. For musicians of 
band, same as for second leader, except: with pointed cuffs 
of black broadcloth. For drum-major, same as prescribed, 
for second leader, except: collar of scarlet cloth trimmed with 
gold lace and piped with white cloth, breast trimmed with y 2 in. 
gold tubular braid, pointed cuffs, outlined with y 2 in. gold tubular 
braid. Other details per regulations. 

Full dress coat — (navy) for bandsmen a single-breasted tunic of 
scarlet cloth, buttoned to the neck with 8 gilt buttons, standing 
collar, the front edges, bottom and skirt plaits (to waist seam) 
piped with white cloth, no outside pockets, shoulder decorations 
as prescribed. 

Full dress frock coat — (revenue cutter service) for all commis- 
sioned officers: of dark navy-blue cloth, double-breasted, but- 
toning to the neck, rolling collar, 2 rows of service buttons on 
breast, 9 each side, spaced equidistant, full skirts extending 
nearly to the knee, trimmings, attachments, etc., as prescribed. 
Full dress saber belt — see Saber b. 
Full dress shirt — see Evening d. s. 

Full dress sword belt — (marine corps) for all officers and leader 
of the band, of i l / 2 in. marine corps gold lace with a 3/16 in. 
stripe of scarlet silk thru the center, white leather lining, show- 
ing edges, y& in. Slings of same material and design. 
Full dress trousers — see Evening d. t. 

Full dress trousers — (army) for general officers, of dark blue 
cloth with 2 stripes of gold wire lace mounted on velvet, of the 
color of coat collar, along outer seams; for chief of engineers, 
the interval between the stripes of scarlet velvet; for officers of 
staff corps and departments (except engineers) 1 stripe of gold 
lace; for officers of engineer corps, stripes of scarlet cloth with 
white piping; for officers of cavalry, artillery and infantry, of 
sky-blue cloth with i l / 2 in. stripes, welted at the edges, of the 
colors of the facings of their respectiv corps or arms, except that 
for infantry the stripes are white; for chaplains, of plain black 
or dark blue cloth, without stripe, welt or cord. 



Ful 115 Ful 

Full dress trousers — (navy) of dark blue cloth with a stripe of 
gold lace covering the outseam of each leg. 
Full dress trousers — (marine corps) for major general com- 
mandant and all staff officers, of dark blue cloth, cut with 
medium spring, side pockets, outseams trimmed with 1% in. 
black mohair braid. For line officers, same as Special f. d. For 
non-commissioned officers, of sky-blue kersey, outseams finisht 
with 1 in. stripe of welted-edge scarlet cloth. For privates, the 
same without the scarlet stripes. For drummers and trumpeters, 
the same except that the outseams have a 3/16 in. scarlet welt; 
for leader of the band, same as prescribed for line officer's special 
f. d. For second leader and musicians, same as prescribed for 
privates, except : with 2 y 2 in. stripes of scarlet cloth down outer 
seams, stitcht on the outer edges, showing *4 m - of light blue 
between. For drum-major, same as prescribed for other non- 
commissioned officers. 

Full dress uniforms — (army, navy, marine corps, etc.) see Full 
d., et var. 

Full dress waistcoat — see Evening d. w. 

Full fashioned — general term for hosiery, etc., produced on auto- 
matic knitting machines, made in flat strips or patterns and then 
joined, either by machine or by hand. See F. regular. 
Full feather — in full dress ; attired in one's best clothes. 
Full fig — (nautical) full dress. 

Full frock — the double-breasted frock coat, or "Prince Albert". 
Full-headed — tailoring term, meaning having fine plaits or puck- 
ers of material in the upper part, as a sleeve; not skimpt; more 
liberal than usual ; specially, a joining of sleeve and shoulder so 
that top of sleeve head shows up full. See Sleeve head. 
Full peg — tailoring term for extra baggy trousers, commonly 
predicativ of college fledglings. See P. top and Half p. 
Full regular — trade term for hosiery and underwear in which 
the seams are made by hand knitting instead of by machine ; 
the most expensiv grade. 
Full Scotch — see Scotch edge. 

Full skeleton — tailoring term for coats made without lining. 
Compare Half s. 

Full uniform — the complement of costume, ornaments, arms, etc., 
prescribed for officers and men in the military and naval service 
on inspection, parade and ceremonial occasions. See Full-dress, 
Special full-dress, etc. 

Full vamp — shoemaking term for vamps where the toes are not 
cut away under the tips. See Whole v., et var. 
Fulled — made thicker and more compact by shrinking. 
Fuller's earth — a species of non-plastic clay used as an absorbent 
of grease and oil and as a cleansing agent; also used in fulling 
cloth. 



Ful 116 Gai 

Fulling — the process of cleansing and condensing (or shrinking) 
woolen and worsted goods to render them stronger and firmer. 
See encyclopedia. 

Fulling gum — a substance used for preparing warps for weaving. 
Fur beaver — a long-napt cloth imitating fur. 
Fur felt — hatter's term for f. (and hats thereof) made from the 
fur of nutria, beaver, coney or other fur-bearing animals. 
Fur seal — the "sealskin de luxe", being of much finer texture than 
wool s. and correspondingly more valuable. Found in Alaska, 
Shetland Islands, Lobos Island, etc., the former being of the 
most uniform excellence. The hide of this variety is seldom, if 
ever, used for leather. 

Furbelow — (i) a plaited or puckered flounce ; (2) broadly, re- 
dundant or superflous finery or ornament. 

Furrier — (1) a dealer in or maker of fur goods and garments; 
(2) a fur dresser. 

Furrier's knife — a flat piece of steel, having the general outlines 
of a rhomb, one edge of which is sharpened, the opposite edge or 
top being concaved to form a handle. 
Furs — familiar term for fur outergarments. 
Fuscous — dusky; grayish brown, tawny. 
Fussy — fancy, effeminate, meretricious. 

Fustian — (1) formerly a kind of stout cloth made of cotton and 
flax; (2) now a coarse twilled linen or cotton fabric; (3) cordu- 
roy and similar fabrics are also so-called. 



G 



G-string — an aboriginal modesty-bit. 

Gabardine — a cloak-like garment worn by Russian Jews ; usu- 
ally made of black cloth, silk or moire ; it is buttoned down front 
to waist, whence it hangs to the ankles. 

Gabardine — a close-woven, fine twilled waterproof cotton cloth 
for sporting and motor wear. Probably a blind name. 
Gag — investiture for the mouth, of any sufficient model, style, 
or material, worn at discretion when the alternativ might be 
hurtful, usually applied by burglars who object to raucous ca- 
cophony. 

Gaiter — (1) a cloth or leather covering for the leg or ankle; a 
spatterdash or overgaiter; (2) a shoe without opening, but elastic 
gores at the sides. See Congress g. 



Gai 117 Gar 

Gaiter bottoms — tailoring term for trousers cut snug at the 
ankle and extending out covering the instep with strap fastening 
beneath the foot. 

Gaiter trousers — just described (vs). 

Galashiels — a town in Scotland famous for its tweeds known by 
that name. 

Galatea — (1) a striped worsted suiting faintly suggestiv of Bed- 
ford cord ; (2) a stout striped cotton fabric, used for shirts, pina- 
fores, etc. 

Gallant — (1) a (good or bad) man who pays court or markt at- 
tention to women; (2) a beau; (3) a man of showy or ostenta- 
tious attire. 

Galligaskins — (1) wide hose or trousers formerly worn by sea- 
men; (2) leather leggings. See Venetians. 

Galloon — general term for various kinds of worsted, silk or tinsel 
lace or decorativ braid used on uniforms, etc. 
Galloon-gallant — contemptuous for an over-decorated fop. 
Galloway — a breed of cattle raised in Scotland, noted for the 
softness and excellence of their glossy black hair; the skins are 
used for fur coats, lap robes, etc. 

Gallows — an early name for what we now call suspenders, mod- 
ernly corrupted to "galluses". 
Galluses — suspenders. See Gallows. 

Gambados — boot-like leathers, resembling leggings or spatter- 
dashes, attacht to a saddle, protecting the feet and serving as 
stirrups. 

Gambeson — an old-time ('way back) coat of leather or cloth, 
stuft and quilted, worn defensivly. 

Gambroon — a twilled cloth of worsted-and-cotton or linen-and- 
cotton, used for summer trousers ; also a twilled linen lining 
material. 

Game bag — similar to an ammunition b., but with ventilating 
holes. 

Gams — slang for legs, and by extension, trousers. 
Gants — French for gloves. 

Gape — a yawning or divergence, as of coat tails spreading apart, 
or of coat collar standing out and away from the neck. 
Garb — one's dress in its entirety; costume; style or peculiarity 
of apparel, as clerical g. 

G. A. R. uniform — a plain blue sack suit, the coat either single 
or double-breasted, with brass buttons, and commonly a black 
slouch hat, with cord and tassels and gilt badge. 
Garibaldi — a loose blouse waist resembling those worn by the 
soldiers of Garibaldi, the Italian patriot. 
Garmenture — a generic name for dress. 

Garner's — trade diminutiv for the fine shirting percales manu- 
factured by Garner & Co., Reading, Pa., and Pleasant Valley, N.Y. 



Gar 1 1 8 Gen 

Garnetted — trade term for fabrics containing garnetted or made- 
over carded yarns. Garnetted worsteds, for illustration, are not 
entitled to the designation "pure worsted". See Garnetting. 
Garnetting — the process of separating clippings, waste, etc., into 
new spinning fibers, resulting in carded yarns, usually mixt with 
good fibers, as garnetted worsted with wool, etc. 
Garrison pocket — the right hip p. 

Garrison shoes — (army) for enlisted men: of russet calf, Blucher 
style. 

Garter ring — a gold finger r. made in imitation of a strap buckled 
in a circle. 

Garter webbing — a narrow, elastic textil band or ribbon, having 
strips of India rubber as part of its warp; elastic w. (qv). 
Garters — commonly, elastic bands capable of being elongated and 
adjusted ad libitum, worn around the lower extremities of one's 
locomotiv members for maintaining the proper position and re- 
quired altitude for the habiliments of the tibia. 
Garters — nautical slang for leg irons. 

Gas iron — a tailor's smoothing or pressing i., heated by internal 
gas jets. 

Gasoline iron — a tailor's i. heated within by means of a gasoline 
flame, the fluid being contained in a tank affixt to the outside. 
Gassing — a finishing process in cotton cloth manufacturing; re- 
moving the fuzz by singeing. 
Gauche — in ill taste, awkward. 

Gauntlet — a glove with wide cuffs attacht, usually stiff, covering 
the coat sleeves, to protect from dust and wind in driving ; orig- 
inally a mailed covering for the hand and wrist, often with 
offensiv armor. 

Gauze — any light open-woven cotton, silk or wool material. 
Gauze weaving — a method in which the warp threads are more 
or less intertwined among themselves, achieving light, open tex- 
turs and many fanciful or lacy combinations ; if plain it is usually 
called leno. 

Gem — any precious stone, particularly when cut and set ready 
for wearing. 

Gem peg — a rest for the g. stick (qv) in g. cutting. 
Gem stick — a rod, on the end of which a g. is cemented whilst 
being cut. 

Gem stone — general term given to minerals suitable for cutting, 
as a g. 

Gemel ring — a r. formed of 2 or more rings ; a puzzle r. 
Genapping — a process in woolen manufacture by which the free 
fuzz or loose fiber known as "nap" is removed from woolen yarn 
by singeing to make it suitable for certain kinds of cloth. 



Gen 1 19 Gla 

General's uniform — see Full dress, Dress u., White u., Service u. 
Also see variants. 

Geneva gown — a clergyman's full g. of black silk or wool stuff, 
made with an inner cassock-front, meeting in a sort of military 
collar, with white banks at the neck, and buttoning all the way 
down the front. 

Genoese velvet — a rich patterned silk v., sometimes interwoven 
with gold thread. 
Gent — not a gentleman. 

Gent's furnisher — the vulgar general title of a very respectable 
business. 

Genteel — les bourgeois gentilhommes. 

German sock — a knitted s. of extra heavy wool, with buckled 
tops or with canvas legging tops reaching to the knee, for wear 
with arctics or heavy shoes. 

Get up — a scheme of costume ; the way you are drest. 
Gew-gaw — any flashy, useless ornament. 

Ghaba — a long, loose flowing coatlike garment worn by the mer- 
chant class in Persia ; is double-breasted, lapping over and fasten- 
ing with 2 buttons, while, about the waist, a shawl is wound 
several times, knotted and the ends tuckt out of sight. 
Gift-of-gab — an eccentricity of salesmen. 

Gig — a machine for raising a nap on cloth by passing it over ro- 
tating cylinders armed with teasels. Compare Slubbing machine. 
Gigging — giving a nap to woolen cloths, such as broadcloths, 
beaver, chinchilla, melton, etc. 
Giller — a horsehair fishing line. 

Gilling — a step in the process of combing worsted yarns; bring- 
ing the fibers level and parallel into a uniform strand. 
Gilt button — brass. 
Gimmal ring — see Gemel r. 

Gimp buttonhole — made as described under b. making, but em- 
ploying very coarse silk twist, and taking long, regular stitches 
over a heavy cord. Contrast Satin b. h. 
Gingerbread — over-fancy, glaring, loud, fussy, insubstantial. 
Gingham — a plain-woven reversible cotton fabric, loom-patterned 
in simple checks, stripes and plaids. 
Gingham — vernacular for a large family umbrella. 
Ginning — a step in the process of preparing cotton for weaving ; 
separating, mechanically, the seeds from the fiber. 
Girdle — the circumferential rim of a diamond or other precious 
stone ; the line of juncture of the upper and lower pyramids. See 
Brilliant cutting. 

Glace — glove trade term, meaning polisht or drest kid (or other) 
leather. 



Gla 1 20 Gog 

Glad rags — evening dress clothes; frock coats; new or good 
clothes, generally. 

Glasses — generality for eye g. or spectacles. 
Glaze — a sizing or high finish applied to certain fabrics, as sleeve- 
linings, hat trimmings, cheap underwear trimmings, etc. See 
Glazing, Sizing and Washable. 

Glazed kid — trade term for kid leather finisht with a high polish, 
in contradistinction to dull k., which has a flat or dull appearance. 
See Chrome k. 

Glazing — a glossing or calendering process effected by steam- 
heated steel rollers. 

Glengarry — a cape overcoat; now known as Inverness (qv). 
Glengarry — a Scotch cap. 
Glims — cant for spectacles. (British). 

Gloria — a twill-woven silk-and-wool fabric, used largely for um- 
brellas. 

Gloss finish — see High polish. 

Glove — a leather or textil covering for the hands, having separate 
stalls for each finger. Anciently gloves possest considerable sig- 
nificance as pledges of troth and confidence, gages of battle, em- 
blems of office, etc. — which is interesting to the searcher for 
curiosa, but too lengthy for this short-order book. 
Glove — a wooden scraper, fastened to the workman's hands, used 
in felting hats. 

Glove box — a container for gloves. 

Glove kid — a term used mostly by shoemakers to designate a fine, 
soft leather employed for the tops of fine shoes. 
Glove of mail — a mailed gauntlet. 

Glove stretcher — a device for stretching or "easing" gloves. 
Glove tree — a wooden form in the shape of a hand for keeping 
gloves in condition. 

Gloversville — a town in New York where nearly all the gloves 
made in this country are produced. 

Goat — an omnivorous animal, once characteristic of Harlem and 
the Bronx, whose hide furnishes shoe leather and glove skins and 
whose pelt is made up into wild animal fur robes, etc. 
Goatee — a beard or tuft, so trimmed that it falls from the chin 
like the beard of a goat; a fashion once very common, but now 
rare. 

Goater — a thief's term for dress. 

Goggle-cap — a chauffeur's c. having a front band in which gog- 
gles are affixt. 

Goggles — a covering for the eyes, or also for part of the face, 
with glasses or lenses secured in silk gauze, leather, metal or 
rubber, fastened around the head with straps or wire frames and 
worn to exclude dust when automobiling, mining, etc. 



Gol i2i Gol 

Gold — a precious metal, bowed down to, in the representativ ab- 
stract, by all the tribes of Israel and by the also-ran; in com- 
merce and industry made into jewelry for one's wives and near- 
wives; in medicin as an alleged constituent of a celebrated cure 
for good fellows. 

Gold filled — trade term for a compound plate of 2 sheets of g. 
having a sheet of baser metal between them; by extension ap- 
plied to cheap jewelry made threof. 

Gold lace — 1. wrought with g. or gilt thread; an ornamental or 
decorativ trimming fabric formed by weaving silken threads 
wound round with g. filaments; most used for military, naval 
and similar uniforms. 

Gold stick — an official of the royal household of Great Britain, a 
colonel of the Life Guards or a captain of the gentlemen-at-arms, 
who bears a gilt rod on state occasions; also loosely applied to 
other state attendants. 

Goldsmiths' company — one of the ancient London guilds, having 
certain hereditary privileges, among them that of stamping or 
certifying all gold and silver. 

Golf bag — a long, open-end b. of canvas, leather or plaid, or com- 
binations thereof, with a sling strap, and usually with an outside 
pocket for balls. 

Golf cap — general name for cloth caps made with a visor or peak, 
but without a band. 
Golf cloth — see Albert c. 

Golf coat — generally, a single-breasted sack c. or Norfolk jacket 
with a plaited fullness under the arms to allow freedom of stroke 
(whence name of Stroke c. sometimes given) with a belted back ; 
more loosely, any old c. one is not afraid of soiling; once upon a 
recent time a gaudy thing of green or fed, or with green or red 
trimmings. 

Golf discs — small rubber knobs affixt to heels and soles of shoes 
for surety of footing. 

Golf glove — a g. of soft leather, usually chamois, commonly made 
with open (hole) knuckles and to button on the top or outside of 
wrist ; altho there are many other models. 

Golf hose — heavy woolen or worsted stockings, in Scotch pat- 
terns, quite "swell" when they were costly. 

Golf shoes — s. made for the use of golfers, with protruding nails 
or buttons on soles to prevent slipping. 

Golf sleeves — trade term for neglige shirts with s. made in 2 
pieces, separated and buttoning at about the hight of the elbow, 
the forepart being removed for freedom and comfort. 
Golf stocks — any neck stock. 
Golf studs — see Boot s. and G. discs. 
Golf waistcoat — same as Coat sweater. 



Gol 122 Gra 

Golosh — an overshoe ; formerly of wood ; but modernly of rubber. 
Good form — see Form. 
Good middling — see Cotton classification. 
Good ordinary — see Cotton classification. 

Goodwood — perhaps the most fashionable race-meet in England, 
vieing with Ascot, but unlike the latter, being a private park, 
owned by the Duke of Richmond. 

Goodyear stitching — a modern mechanical process of sewing to- 
gether the sole and vamp of a shoe, the process commencing and 
concluding at the breast or back of heel. See below. 
Goodyear welt — in shoemaking, meaning that the uppers and 
soles are secured by means of a welt sewed on the Goodyear ma- 
chine, an improvement on the McKay machine. See above. 
Goose — a tailor's heaving smoothing iron, originally the kind 
heated on a stove or flame ; so called from its handle, which some- 
what resembles the neck of a goose. 

Gore — a triangular piece of cloth let into a garment to widen it or 
eke out narrow goods ; a gusset. 
Gore — see Elastic g. 

Gorge — that part of a coat or vest encircling the neck ; where the 
collar, if any, is joined. Compare Opening. 
Gorget — (i) an ornamental neckband, very full and broad in 
front, worn a century or two ago when men knew how to dress ; 
(2) a steel throat armor. 
Goring — see Elastic gore. 

Gown — (1) a sack overcoat; a Chesterfield; a raincoat; (2) a 
clergyman's robe; (3) a bachelor's, doctor's or other academic 
g.; (4) a night robe; (5) the slip or covering thrown over you 
whilst in the barber's chair. 
Gownsman — a collegian. 

Grade — to arrange a scale or system of sizes for manufacturing 
or for buying and selling; to classify fibers, qualities, etc. 
Grader — an assistant to the designer or head cutter in wholesale 
manufacturing houses; his duty is to take the first paper pat- 
terns designed for the season and grade them onto heavy paper 
for the cloth cutters to work from ; these are called "block pat- 
terns". 

Grading — the making of a set of patterns, in all sizes, for any ar- 
ticle of apparel. 

Graduated tie — a t. for wear with standing shirt collars, narrow- 
est at the middle and widening evenly to the ends. 
Graft — a sticky substance much esteemed by buyers, manufac- 
turers and politicians. 

Grain leather — 1. made from the hides of neat cattle, split so thin 
as to be suitable for same uses as goat, calf, etc., which it is made 
to imitate. 



Gra 123 Gri 

Grand street — a street in New York famous for its Jewish push- 
cart trade ; being lined for many blocks with double rows if peri- 
patetic merchants displaying almost every class of merchandise. 
Grandpa's hat — a tall "top h." of felt or beaver fur or rough silk 
plush, bell shaped, reminiscent of the 40's. 
Granit — weaving term for small irregular effects produced by 

yarns of several colors or by an irregular arrangement of the 

warp and weft, comprehending any and all fabrics without speci- 
fic weave for foundation ; in general, any face finisht fancy weave 

suiting not made on a twill. (Granite.) 

Grass linen — coarse, plain woven, unbleacht 1., used for summer 

clothing. 

Grass suit — a weedy thing that makes a duck hunter look like a 

tree to a fool bird, but like a cannibal to timid humans. 

Gray cloth — undyed. 

Gray cotton — unbleacht or undyed. 

Grease paint — an article of theatrical make-up. 

Grease spot — the badge of a slob. 

Great-coat — any heavy overcoat; particularly a coachman's 

skirted overcoat. 

Great Scott! — an aptly named depilatory (a proprietary article) 

said to be composed of tallow and pitch, which, on removal, 

causes the beauty-seeker to say Great Scott — and then some. 

Greaves — leg armor. 

Grecian sack — a loose, baggy box overcoat worn about 1850-60, 

usually with velvet collar and cuffs and quilted satin lining. 

Greeley hat — see Horace Greeley h. 

Green cap — a color (of c.) that undergraduates in some of our 

colleges are chivalrously endeavoring to force freshmen to wear. 

Green gold — g. alloyed with silver. Compare red g. and white g. 

Greenback — vernacular for paper money. 

Grege — raw silk as wound off the cocoons. 

Gregorian — see Wig. 

Gremial veil — an embroidered cloth spread over the knees of a 
bishop when sitting during high mass. 

Grenadier cap — a tall pointed c. or head covering, properly of 
bearskin, worn in certain European military corps. 
Grenadine — a gauzy or net-like silk fabric used for men's neck- 
wear and women's dresses. 

Grenadine — a species of thrown silk. See Throwing. 
Grenoble — (1) a town in France famous for its many glove fac- 
tories and the fine quality of kid skins raised in the surrounding 
neighborhood ; (2) a trade diminutiv implying excellence. 
Grey Breeks — the popular name for Lord Lynedoch's 90th Regi- 
ment of Foot (1794). 
Grip — a suit case ; a large traveling bag. 



Gri 124 Gut 

Gripper — see Wiper. 

Grogram — a stiff fabric of silk-and-wool or all-wool, of diagonal 
weave; a coarse stuff of which boat cloaks, heavy coats, etc., 
were once made. 

Groom's box overcoat — see Coachman's b. o. 
Groom's frock coat — same as Coachman's f. c, but about one 
inch shorter, and worn with a leather belt. 

Groom's livery — like coachman's 1. with slight modifications of 
detail. 

Groom's vest — a waistcoat of whipcord or corduroy with knitted 
or flannel sleeves attacht. 

Gros de Londres — a fine weave of gros grain silk (qv). 
Grosgrain — a stout, close woven, fine corded silk fabric, dyed in 
plain colors and having but little luster. 

Guanaco — a South American animal of the camel family yield- 
ing a coarse, inferior hair of but little use. 

Guard's coat — a long, loose traveling overcoat of tweed or home- 
spun, made with a whole back, held together in gathers by a 
cloth strap. (1907) 

Guernsey — a close-fitting, knitted woolen shirt worn by sailors. 
Guessfit — term coined by the compiler of this dictionary for use 
by tailors in derision of readymade — and now used by cheap 
tailors everywhere who live in glass houses themselves. 
Guinea cloth — see Outing c. 
Gum bucket — nautical slang for tobacco pipe. 
Gum shoe — a rubber overshoe. 
Gum shoe — a term for underhand transactions. 
Gum stocking — see Elastic s. 
Gum tissue — see Rubber t. and Buckskin. 
Gums — rubber overshoes. 
Gun-mouthed trousers — see Sailor's t. 
Gun-pocket — place for the arsenal. 

Gunner's uniform — (navy) see Special full-dress, full-d., dress, 
undress ; (army) Full-dress, Dress u., Service u., Fatigue u. ; (rev- 
enue cutter service) Full-dress, Service dress. See also Varia- 
tions. 

Gunny — see Gunnysacking. 

Gunnysacking — coarse spun canvas or burlap of loose material, 
such as jute, used here for baling — but they use it in India for 
clothing among the poorer classes. 

Gusset — a triangular piece of cloth, usually small, inserted into a 
garment to give added strength or more room ; a gore. 
Gutter seam — term used by collar and cuff manufacturers de- 
scriptiv of an edge s. made by folding the inner and outer plies, 
previously stitcht together inside out, in over the interlining, 



Guy 125 Hal 

and then stitcht thru, finally, from the outside, the inner edges 
of the fold being generally overcast in advance of the first stitch- 
ing. This s. is supposed to wear extra well, with little or no ( ?) 
liability to turn into "saw edges". 

Guy — anyone who makes a show of himself in his clothes. 
Gymnasium shoe — a laced soft s. of kid or canvas, with a light 
elk or buff turn sole, having but little sock lining and no counter 
or box toe. 

Gymkhana costume — anything absurd, in keeping with the farci- 
cal character of this ridiculous race or sport. 
Gyves — fetters ; the old word for handcuffs. 



H 



Haberdasher — a dealer in "men's furnishings". 
Habit — the double-breasted dress coat of 1840-50 with very high 
collar. 

Hackle — see Hatchel. 

Hackling — a process of preparing flax fibers for spinning, arrang- 
ing them smoothly and parallel. 

Haik — a white drapery drawn low on the forehead and falling 
curtain-like about the face ; it conceals the cachi (qv) and is held 
in place by one or more tightly fitting rings of camel's or goat's 
hair, prest down tightly on the head, and is of such dimensions 
as to conceal the entire figure. (Arabia.) 

Hair clipper — a small hand-mowing machine for making "shavy- 
headed monkeys". 

Hair cutter — a patronizing sort of barber. 
Hair dresser — just barber. 

Hair dye — essence of vanity used to make gay bloods of old 
bucks. 

Hair oil — maybe medicinal, but once worn to plaster down one's 
hair when such was considered "the thing" ; now a mark of the 
near-gent. 

Hair seal — unpluckt s. 

Haircloth — an elastic, resilient material woven of cotton or linen 
warp with a weft or filling of hair from the manes and tails of 
horses; employed as a stiffening interlining in coats, etc. 
Hairline — in weaving, a narrow striped color effect on clothes of 
any description. 
Half a warp — see Warp. 



Hal 126 Hal 

Half-and-half-bound — in tailoring, an edge finish where the braid 
is applied evenly, back and front covering the edge, and stitcht 
only along the outer edges of the braid. 
Half-and-half braid — see Silk b. 

Half-and-half sleeve — a coat s. of which the two parts are of 
nearly equal width ; an old style of s. with a seam showing in 
front, and is seldom now used. 

Half back — trade term for a class of woolens combining some of 
the characteristics of both thru-and-thru and backt goods. 
Half blood — wool classification term. See Wool. 
Half-boot — an ankle boot. 
Half hose — men's stockings; socks. 

Half lined — tailoring term applied to garments that are partially 
lined or partially "skeleton". 

Half mitts — gloves with half-length fingers and thumbs. 
Half mourning — black mitigated by lavender, gray or other sub- 
dued colors or white. 

Half-peg — trade term for trousers on the peg-top order, but not 
cut quite so full. See P.-top. and Full-p. 
Half round — trade term for buttons shaped like a half sphere. 
Half Scotch — see Scotch edge. 

Half skeleton — tailoring term for coats with unlined back, the 
side-bodies being lined. 

Half sole — repairing term for worn shoes, boots, etc. — a new 
s. applied to the tread or forepart of the s. 

Half top pocket — set at a shorter angle from the vertical than the 
top p.; almost a side p. 

Haling hands — heavy gloves or mittens of colonial days worn by 
sailors and workmen (hauling — h?). 

Hall-boy's suit — plain cloth, single- or double-breasted blouse or 
sack coat, with regular lapel collar (or with standing military 
collar if single-breasted, ornamented, if at all, on cuffs or shoul- 
ders or both ; side seams of trousers trimmed to match. For 
clubs or hotels the jacket or blouse may have two or three diverg- 
ing rows of buttons, but is closed with hooks and eyes, the collar 
and cuffs sometimes being of contrasting color of cloth, in which 
case the trousers have a narrow piping of same in the side seams. 
No waistcoat. 

Hall mark — (British) the mark placed upon gold and silver by 
the Goldsmiths' Company certifying to fineness. A slight varia- 
tion each year establishes the date of production. 

Halo — an aurea worn by the head of the house, clearly percepti- 
ble to himself and a few satellites, but absolutely undiscernible by 
anyone else of normal faculties. 



Hal 127 Han 

Halstead street — a street in Chicago having a great number of 
small and cheap clothing shops (compare South s. and Baxter s.) ; 
a local synonym for cheap clothing. 

Hand-fitted — tailoring term for the linings fitted into a coat one 
piece at a time, all the sewing being done by hand. Compare 
Bagged. 

Hand-glasses — eye-glasses and spectacles were once so called in 
New York. 

Hand loom — (1) a more or less primitiv or improved 1. operated 
entirely by h. and foot, as opposed to power I.; usually found 
in cottages ; (2) trade term for goods woven on h. looms ; nearly 
synonymous with homespun. 

Hand made — made by h. workers: distinguisht from machine 
made. 

Hand made buttonhole — not machine made. 
Hand-me-down — (1) readymade clothes; (2) second-h. clothes; 
from being handed down from one person to another. 
Hand padded — tailoring term applied (1) to collars, lapels and 
coat-fronts, meaning that same was made by h. instead of ma- 
chine; (2) the result of making such parts by h., taking close, 
even, tight stitches. See next. 

Hand padding — cloth, canvas, shoddy, etc., sewed together in 
position and ironed into shape entirely by h. for fashion's sake 
or to improve fit. 

Hand shaping — term generally applied to shoulders and coat 
fronts, indicating that the interlinings were cut and sewed to- 
gether by h., being workt into shape during the latter opera- 
tion, in contradistinction to such work made wholly or in part 
by machine (vs). 

Hand-to-hand-made — tailoring term meaning made entirely by 
operators, passing, stage by stage, from one h. to another. 
See Section work. 

Hand-woven — (1) made on h. looms; (2) not made in a mill. 
Handball gloves — g. made of padded leather, with full or cut-off 
fingers. 

Handcuffs — steel wristlets of temporary wear occasionally seen 
in the lower walks of life. 

Handjar — an oriental dagger or short broadsword. 
Handkerchief — a square of linen, silk or cotton, with hem or 
selvage; plain, printed, embroidered or otherwise fancified, used 
for wiping the face or nose, and by country swains to waft a bye- 
bye to the old folks and one other as the train pulls out. 
Handkerchief bosom — in shirt making a neglige shirt with a b. 
made of a fancy handkerchief. 

Handkerchief box — a receptacle for handkerchiefs. 
Handle — trade term for the "feel" of textil fabrics as indicativ of 
working and wearing qualities. 



Han 128 Hat 

Handsel — (1) a gift or token of good will; a votiv offering to 
Luck; the first sales or earnings, bestowed upon some one; (2) 
earnest money on a contract. 

Hanger — (1) a loop sewed into the neck of a coat-lining or waist- 
lining of trousers for the purpose of hanging them up in a way 
to become shapeless; (2) a chain for the same purpose sometimes 
used on heavy overcoats; (3) a wooden or metal device over 
which coats and vests may be hung in a shape-retaining manner 
or trousers suspended to retain their creases. 
Hanger — a short cut-and-thrust sword, curved near the point ; 
a sort of cutlass. (17th and 18th centuries). 

Hangnail — skin partially torn from its attachment near the root 
of a finger nail. 

Hank — a bundle of two or more skeins of yarn tied together ; also 
a single skein (qv). 
Hankie — colloquial for handkerchief. 
Hanselines — a kind of breeches. (Obsolete.) 
Hard finisht — same as Clear f. 
Hard press — same as following. 

Hard prest — tailor's term for flat p. lapels, seams, etc. Compare 
Soft p. 

Hard rim button — a b. made over a mold, usually covered with 
cloth matching the garment, but protected by a rim and back of 
hard rubber, naturally the most durable of covered buttons. 
Hare — a short-tailed, long-eared rodent of the genus Lepus, the 
pelt of which is an important staple of hat manufacture and is 
also largely used in cheap fur garments. 

Hare's combings — loose or dead hair removed in cleaning skins, 
and used as an adulterant in the manufacture of cheap hats. 
Hare's foot — see Rabbit f. 

Harlequin check — a check pattern of three or more different 
colors. 

Harness belt — a leather b. of horsey appearance. 
Harris tweed — a men's wear fabric made on the island of Harris, 
one of the smaller British isles; originally woven by very poor 
people on hand looms, and dyed with natural products. A num- 
ber of people took an interest in the work, notably the Duchess 
of Sutherland, and now a considerable trade is done in the cloth, 
which on account of its excellent qualities and high price, is now 
widely imitated, the imitations being known by the same name ; 
the genuine is easily identified by its peculiar peaty odor. 
Haslock — the throat-wool of a sheep; the finest grade. 
Hat — a formal covering for the head; of various models and 
worn at various angles of inclination; a frequently remarked 
characteristic is, that, altho a h. may be satisfactory any day and 
night, it may not be the next morning. 



Hat 129 Hav 

Hat band — a ribbon surrounding the crown. 
Hat block — a mold on which hats are formed. 
Hat body — an unfinished h. in any stage of its progress from the 
forming machine to the stiffening or napping apparatus. 
Hat box — (1) a round or square carrying case for hats (one or 
more), usually of sole leather with fancy silk linings, etc.; (2) 
the same, of paper board. 

Hat brush — a b. of soft bristles for cleansing and smoothing hats. 
Hat case — a h. box. 
Hat conformateur — see Conformateur. 

Hat cover — a mackintosh or rubber covering for coachmen's or 
groom's h. 

Hat furs — the principal furs used in the manufacture of hats are 
hare, rabbit, coney, nutria, beaver, muskrat, seal, mink, etc. 
Hat honor — doffing the h. ; a salute. 

Hat lining — until the last 10 or 15 years nearly all men's hats 
were lined, usually with satin in one or many colors, and often 
with white satin bearing pictures of sporting scenes, landscapes, 
etc., and especially portraits of ballet girls, and reproductions 
of paintings from life. 

Hat manufacturing — see Carroting, Devil, Forming, Sizing, Stiff- 
ening, Stretching, Blocking, Finishing, Soft finishing, Curling, 
Flanging, etc. 

Hat pad — a strip of felt slipt inside the sweatband to make a 
large h. fit a smaller head — and frequently removed the morning 
after. 

Hat rack — a row of hooks to hang hats on for some other fellow 
to choose from. 

Hat tip — the gaudy gold label pasted in the crown of a h. by 
manufacturers. 

Hatchel — an implement for cleaning flax or hemp, usually con- 
sisting of a set of iron teeth fastened to a board, thru which the 
flax is drawn and broken, removing the woody fiber ; a hackel. 
Hatter — a seller of hats; a friend of Alice in Wonderland, but 
not, despite the popular impression, always mad in March. 
Hauberk — a sort of coat of mail, either chain or plate, worn by 
the doughty warriors of the moldly past. 
Haute nouveaute — high novelty. 

Havelock — the light cotton cape or neck covering worn by 
soldiers and travelers in hot countries, hanging from a cap, be- 
hind the neck. 

Haverly hat — a name given to hats (any style) for a short time 
during the latter half of the last century because such hats had 
tickets, good at any and all of Haverly's theaters or traveling 
shows, entitling the owner of the h. to admission. (From J. H. 
Haverly, a popular minstrel "magnate"). 



Hav 130 Hee 

Haversack — (1) a soldier's ration bag, hung from the shoulder; 
(2) a hunter's leather ammunition case. 
Hawick — a town in Scotland famous for tweeds. 
Head — see Wool. 

Head — the face or small top part of a collar button. 
Head-and-face-protector — a sort of leather armor for boxers 
afraid to take punishment. 
Head carrier — see Tump line. 

Head harness — general term for helmets, leather caps, ear guards, 
etc., worn by slugball players. 
Head net — a contrivance for warding off insects. 
Headlight — diamond. 

Headstone — a memorial tablet at the head of a grave, often 
highly decorativ (or supposedly so), and emblazoned with a 
choice compilation of eulogistic lies. 
Health band — same as Abdominal b. 

Heather — a flower found in the meadows of the British kingdom ; 
basis of the yellow dye used in coloring Harris tweeds. 
Heather mixtures — trade name for fabrics of no special pattern 
but showing a color scheme resembling, tho faintly, a heather 
meadow. 

Heel — the pieces of leather put together and placed on the out- 
side of the shoe immediately under the h. of the foot. 
Heel breast — (shoemaking) the back of the h. 
Heel lift — (1) an elastic device of rubber, cork and felt to wear 
within shoes for the purpose of relieving the jar of walking, also 
to throw up the instep ; (2) one of the layers of leather used in 
forming the h. of a shoe. 

Heel plate — (1) a metal plate affixt to heels to prevent the leather 
from undue wear or damage ; (2) a metal attachment fastened to 
the h. of a shoe for securing certain styles of ice skates securely 
thereto. See Shoe p. 
Heel rand — see Rand. 

Heel seat wheeling — a little line of indentations made in the 
leather around the h. (of a shoe) by a wheel, as one of the finish- 
ing operations. 

Heel shaping — a mechanical process, of course. 
Heel stay — see H. strip. 

Heel strap — sometimes called back s. A loop either of 
leather or woven tape inserted in the top at the back of the shoe 
and used to draw the shoe on the foot by inserting the finger thru 
the loop. 

Heel-strip — a narrow band of leather or cloth sewn inside hems 
of trousers where they rub on the heel. 

Heeling — in modern shoemaking an entirely mechanical process, 
save for laying the leather together and filling with nails the 
holes in a nailing machine. 



Hel 131 Hig 

Held-blistered edge — drawn too tightly with the stay tape. (Tail- 
oring term.-) 

Heliotrope — a "heavy" perfume distilled from or in imitation of 
the flower of the same name. 
Hemp — see Kemp. 

Hemstitch — an ornamental finish for hems, as in handkerchiefs, 
effected by drawing a few threads parallel to the hem and con- 
necting in groups by stitching, the exposed threads running 
oppositly. 

Henrietta — a sort of fine cashmere, usually with a silk warp. 
Hercules braid — a flat, coarse ribbed worsted braid, of various 
widths, used for ornament or decoration, largely for uniforms, 
and often called military braid. 

Hermsdorff — trade diminutiv for fast-black hosiery, etc., dyed 
by Louis Hermsdorff, Chemnitz, and used in the sense of being 
a standard of quality. 

Herringbone — general term for patterns, produced in weaving, 
consisting of short diagonal lines running warpwise, meeting 
and contrasting with another series turned oppositly, with zig- 
zag repetition; a fishbone pattern. 
Herringbone stitch — see Padding s. 

Hessians — high boots, tassled in front, worn early in 19th cen- 
tury. 

Hickory shirting — (1) a heavy, stout, plain- woven cotton material, 
resembling gingham, heavily starcht and calendered, used for 
working shirts. See Osnaburg. (2) Name also applied to a 
coarse twilled cotton fabric, striped or checkt, also used for work- 
ing shirts. 

Hides — trade term for the skins of large animals, as horse, cow, 
ox, etc. Compare Skins. 

Higgin — the old-fashioned shoemaker's pot of water for wetting 
soles. 

High-band — trade term for high, turn-down or folded shirt col- 
lars; also called high-bander. See Meeting folder, Lock front, 
Fold collar, etc. 

High-dutchers — skates, the blades of which are ornamentally 
curled in front; those without this ormentation are called dumps. 
High heels — a godsend for runts — and surgeons. 
High-pickt — textil trade term for many threads to the inch. 
High polish — laundry term for perverted elegance applied to 
one's linen. 

High-rise — term applied to trousers cut high in the waist. See 
Rise. 

High-shouldered — having pronounced shoulders of more than 
normal hight. 
High-water — derisiv term for trousers too short for the wearer. 



Hig 132 Horn 

Highland gaiters — overgaiters or spats. 
Hilt — the handle and guard of a sword. 

Himation — a square or oblong piece of cloth, more or less deco- 
rated, worn by the early Greeks draped about the left shoulder 
and covering the body (more or less) according to its adjust- 
ment. 

Hip — that part of the body between the brim of the pelvis and 
the free part of the thigh. 
Hip boots — b. reaching to the hips. 
Hip pants — see H. trousers. 

Hip pocket — a p. placed horizontally in the rear portion of 
trousers, between the waistband and seat; a breeding place of 
sudden death if fortified. 

Hip-spring — tailoring term indicating an allowance made for the 
fullness of the hips in cutting a garment, as a waistcoat. 
Hip trousers — t. intended to be worn without suspenders, and 
to be sustained by the hips with or without the aid of a belt; 
usually cut lower in the waist, and closer fitting there, than when 
suspenders are to be worn. 
Hirsute appendage — whiskers. 

Hob nails — short n. with very broad, heavy heads, used for 
sporting shoes, working brogans, etc., as a protection to the soles 
and for surety of footing. 

Hockey glove — a stout padded leather g. for protecting fingers, 
joints, etc. 

Hockey leg guards — see Shin g. 

Hockey shoe — a laced s. with a strap across instep from side to 
side of heel. 
Hog — pigskin. 

Hog wool — term given, in England, to w. dipt from lambs. 
Hoi polloi — "gents" who wear "pants" and ready-tied neckwear. 
Hold-all — a leather or canvas shawl roll or carrier. See Carry-all 
and Wrap. 

Hold in — tailoring term signifying, in the making of a garment, 
the feat of getting a larger part neatly into a smaller opening, or 
seaming a larger to a smaller part, or to work in an edge to less 
than its cut dimension, for purposes of shapeliness, style, etc. 
Compare Stretch. 

Holland — a fine, stout, compact, plain woven linen cloth, usually 
unbleacht, sometimes slightly glazed, used as shirtings, suit- 
ings, interlinings, etc. ; originally made in Holland, whence name. 
Holster — a carrier for the personal arsenal. 

Hollow ground — cutler's term indicating that a blade, as of a 
razor, is ground concave instead of flat. 

Hombourg hat — about same as Alpine or Fedora. See Tyrol- 
ean h. 



Horn 133 Hor 

Homespun — general name for the plain woven woolen suitings 
made by the peasantry of the British isles, properly from undyed 
natural colored homespun yarns, with or without an admixture 
of home dyed yarns, woven on crude hand looms, and of rather 
loose, tho stout, texture and of enormous durability. Modernly 
imitated on power looms. 

Honeycomb — (1) an ornamental pattern, effected in the loom, 
applied mostly to towelings, giving a resemblance to honeycomb 
cells ; (2) a raised effect in weaving, sometimes employed in 
worsted suitings. 

Hood — a cloth covering for the head; sometimes attacht to 
overcoats and capes, also to academic gowns, ornamentally so in 
this latter case. 

Hood overcoat — any o. with an attacht or detachable hood ; a 
military o. 

Hoods — scholastic h. are made of the same material as the 
gowns; lined with the official colors of the college or university 
conferring the degree, or with which the recipients of academic 
honors from other institutions may be connected, and are 
trimmed with velvet, the color being distinctiv of the faculty 
to which the degree pertains. Thus: Arts and Letters, white; 
Theology, scarlet; Law, purple; Medicin, green; Philosophy, 
dark blue ; Science, gold yellow ; Fine arts, brown ; Music, pink ; 
Pharmacy, olive; Dentistry, lilac; Veterinary, gray; Forestry, 
russet; Library science, lemon. 

Hook-and-eye — a small h. of double wire and an appropriate e. 
to engage it; a garment fastening device. 
Hook-in — to shorten, as of the gorge of a collar. 
Hop gloves — white lisle g. in contradistinction to white cotton or 
Berlin g. (West Point colloquialism.) 
Hop stick — a crutch. 

Hopsacking — a coarse, open-wove, woolen fabric, with a square 
or checkered mesh in imitation of bagging, made in suiting and 
overcoating weights. 

Horace Greeley hat — a tall, felt "plug" h., later known as the 
(Grover) Cleveland h. 

Horned alligator — a leather characterized by its peculiar sharp 
ridges or protuburances (the spinal ridge of the critter?). 
Hornoid — trade name for a composition used for buttons in imi- 
tation of real horn. 

Horns — unseen articles of decoration sometimes worn by mar- 
ried men. 

Horse-shoe collar — trade term for coat collars not made on a 
straight line, but curved and twisted to fit corresponding hollows 
carved into the neck of the coat. This is a c. that is easily made 
by machinery and is a characteristic of most readymade clothing 
and cheap tailoring. Compare Straight c. 



Hor 134 Hun 

Horse show — once a parade-show of horse-flesh and accomplish- 
ments ; nowadays a raree show of the frills and fripperies of hu- 
man "fashion" and vanity. 

Horsey — applied to a straining after coaching or stable effects in 
attire by those who think it smart. 

Hose — general term for stockings, long, short and otherwise ; 
anciently, a sort of tights. 
Hosen — obsolete plural of hose. 
Hosier — British for "gent's furnisher". 

Hosier — one who deals in hosiery and other knit goods. (Mostly 
of British use.) 

Hosiery — broadly comprehending stockings, tights and all 
branches of the hosier's business. 

Hot-water bag — an article of temporary wear in illness. 
Houppelande — (1) a kind of cloak or overgarment worn alike by 
men and women in France in the 15th century, resembling some- 
what a modern dressing gown or kimona; (2) a name given in 
France, in the early part of the last century, to a single-caped 
frock coat, sometimes called a Crispin cloak (qv). 
House coat — a fancy lounging c. or jacket. 
House slippers — homely solid comfort. 

Housemaid's collar — "British" for the highband folded or double 
shirt c. (men's — not women's, mind you!). 

Hovie — a mantle of state, worn about the time of the crusades, 
quite a gorgeous affair and often hung with silver bells. 
Huckaback — a heavy, coarse, rough linen or cotton toweling of a 
birdseye, honeycomb or armure weave; commonly shortened to 
huck. 

Huddersfield — a manufacturing town in Yorkshire and the chief 
seat of the English cloth and woolen manufactures ; a name com- 
monly given in this country to clay worsteds from the best 
coming from that town from the mills of J. & B. Clay. 
Humeral veil — an oblong scarf of the same material as the 
chasuble, worn over the shoulders by sub-deacons at high mass 
and by priests when giving the benediction or carrying the sacra- 
ment in procession. 

Humidor — a casket designed to maintain a certain degree of 
moisture or humidity in cigars kept therein. 
Hunting boot — an extra heavy and high shoe of stout, water- 
proof leather, foxt and double soled, with hobnails in sole and 
heel. 

Hunting cap — a close-fitting, velvet c, with short visor. 
Hunting-case — a watch-c. having the dial side as well as the 
back protected by a cover or lid. 
Hunting coat — a short, red cutaway — English, you know. 



Hun 135 Imi 

Hunting costume — those who ape British modes will please wear 
a "pink" (i. e. vivid scarlet) frock coat with round-cornered bell 
skirt (or "pink" morning coat), white corduroy or leather 
breeches, fancy waistcoat, neck stock, top boots, and tall silk hat ; 
appareled thus you are fit to join William Waldorf Astor and 
other near-Britons. 

Hunting cuffs — a finish on coat sleeves consisting of buttoned 
open vents with, usually, a row or two of stitching in simulation 
of cuffs. 

Hunting frock — a single-breasted f. coat with short full skirts. 
Hunting hat — a silk h. with cord or guard to prevent loss. 
Hunting hood — a knitted wool h. covering entire head (except 
face), neck and upper shoulders, worn in cold countries by hardy 
hunters, explorers, etc. 

Hunting sack — a name given to single-breasted s. coats designed 
for shooting purposes ; usually with a turned down collar closing 
at the throat and capacious patch pockets. 

Hunting shirt — (1) a deerskin, blouse-like garment, in use 
amongst trappers and frontiersmen ; sometimes very ornamental ; 
(2) any stout woolen, cotton or linen s. of inconspicuous color. 
Husking cloth — a heavy cotton ticking used for farmers' gloves 
and mittens. 

Husking glove — a g. used by harvest hands for husking, etc. 
Hustling suit — see Jepson. 

Hymeneal knot — a style of k. that, with a little practise, is one of 
the easiest tied and untied. 

Hyperion curls — found in novels and in portraits of Roscoe Conk- 
ling. 



I 



Ice-cream hat — a light-colored, soft felt h. on the telescope order, 
extreme in some detail of color, shape or trimming, affected usu- 
ally by college boys and other irresponsibles. 
Idiot fringe — football hair ; bangs. 
Imitation — not genuin; deceptiv; fraudulent. 
Imitation fur — textil achievements, usually on a stockinet body, 
often quite deceptiv; near-fur. 

Imitation haircloth — a stiffening interlining fabric not made with 
horse hair, but entirely or nearly so of heavily sized vegetable 
fibers, tho some of the "better" grades have variously alternated 
real horse hairs inserted. For tailoring purposes these poorer 
grades are practically worthless. See Istle. 



Imm 136 Ind 

Immaculate — spotless. 

Imp — one length of twisted hair in a fishing line. 
Imperial — a cravat tied in a small, close knot and with long, 
wide, flowing ends or apron. 

Imperial — a pointed tuft of hair on the chin just under the lower 
lip; so called because worn by Napoleon III. 
Imported — "from the old world", or elsewhere. 
Imprime — French for printed; generally used in speaking of 
warp-printed silks. 

In-and-out flap — in tailoring a f. made the same size as the pocket 
so it can be turned into same ; the opposit of laid-on f., which may 
be larger than the width of the pocket opening; the former the 
distinctiv pocket f. of sack coats, the latter more often seen on 
frock coats. 

In-the-drag — tailors' term indicating that one is behind in his 
work and has to "pull out". 
In the flannel — see Flannel. 

In the grease — term for fleece marketed as dipt from the sheep ; 
unwasht. 

In the gum — silk that has not been "boiled off". 
Inauguration cloth — a variant of coronation c, used in this coun- 
try during the vogue of the former and about the time of a presi- 
dential inauguration. 
Inch tape — a t. measure. 

Incline measures — m. taken by tailors to ascertain if a customer 
is erect or stooping, carries his head forward or backward, has 
large or flat blades, etc., and how much. 

Incroyable — a name given to politicians and dandies (imagine, 
politicians!) of the time of the (French) Directorate (1795-99), 
who made extremity in dress a cult — they wore the highest col- 
lars, the chokingest cravats, the most pretentious canes and were 
otherwise much like the precieuses ridicules of Moliere's time. 
India silk — a soft, thin, untwilled s. fabric, woven like fine muslin. 
Indian gown — see Banyan. 

Indian tanned — name given to a slow process of preparing leather 
for the market, by curing the raw hides with salt and repeated 
immersions in bark solutions, usually requiring as many weeks to 
complete as acid tanning (qv) does days, but resulting in a 
softer, more pliable and more durable leather. 
Indigo — a deep-blue dye obtained from several plants of the 
genus Indigofera, native of India and Asia and also found in 
Africa and South America ; known from the most remote times ; 
a permanent color. 

Indigo test — the common t. for i.-blue on wool is to drop a small 
quantity of nitric acid on the goods and leave it to dry out, when, 
if the goods are pure i., the center of the spot will be a bright yel- 



Ine 137 Ins 

low with a border of green. For testing on cotton the simplest 
and safest way is to burn a piece of the goods on a porcelain 
plate; if the color is i., that part of the plate where the i. burns 
will be covered with a blue film; no other coloring matter will 
show a similar reaction. 

Inexpressibles — prudery for trousers, outer as well as under. 
Infantry uniform — see Full dress, Dress u., White u., Service u., 
Fatigue u., et var. 

Infielder's glove — a padded g. of buckskin or other stout leather 
for baseball players. 
Informal dress — see Day d. 
Ingrain — dyed in the yarn or in a raw state. 
Inlaid collar — in tailoring, a c. partly of the material of the gar- 
ment and partly of velvet, the latter laid under the cloth and 
forming a sort of border or frame around it. Compare Laid-on c. 
Inner leaf — see Leaf. 

Inseam — in tailoring, the inner seam of the leg of a pair of trous- 
ers; sometimes also called the crotch seam; also the fore-arm 
seam of a sleeve. 

Inseam — (glove term) a plain turned-in seam, used only with the 
heavier leathers. 

Inside back — the inner lining of a vest, particularly the back part 
thereof. 

Inside breast pocket — a p. made within the lining of a coat, ordi- 
narily on the right side only, should there be an outside b. p., but 
if none, then on both sides. 

Inside pocket — any p. made on the i. of a garment, usually within 
the lining, as in coats and waistcoats. 

Inside shop — in the clothing business, any s. (usually on the man- 
ufacturer's premises) where the manufacturer hires the workmen 
thru a foreman. See Outside s. 

Inside ticket pocket — a small p. within the right-hand p. of a coat. 
Insignia — any device or decoration used by orders, societies or 
governments as signs or marks of office or distinction. 
Insignia of rank — (army) devices worn on the collar of the uni- 
form, as follows: general and lieutenant general, such as they 
may prescribe; major general, two silver stars; brigadier gen- 
eral, 1 silver star ; colonel, 1 silver spread eagle ; lieutenant col- 
onel, 1 silver leaf; major, 1 gold leaf; captain, 2 silver bars; first 
lieutenant, 1 silver bar. Also shoulder straps, similarly markt, 
as well as other regulation distinguishments — better read the de- 
partment rules and regulations. 

Insole — any inner lining or sole of a shoe, whether a fixt part 
thereof or removable. 

Instructor's glove — a boxing g. for teachers of the manly art, so 
constructed as to do no hurt. 



Ins U8 1st 

Insurance — getting some rich corporation to pay you for burning 
up. 

Interlining — any textil or other material placed between the cloth 
and the lining proper of a garment for purposes of shape, 
strength, stiffening, etc. 
Intimate — cant term for shirt. 

Inventory — a detailed account of merchandise, accounts and busi- 
ness transacted; that on which hopes of advanced salaries rise 
or fall. 

Inverness — a long, loose overcoat with cape, but without sleeves, 
for evening dress wear. 
Inverted seam — sewn inside out. 

Invisible patch — cobbler's term for a patch applied by cement to 
a worn or damaged spot, the edges of the p. having first been 
shaved thin to leave little or no ridge or seam. 
Invisible stitch — in tailoring, any s. not permitted to come to the 
surface, as a felling s., pricking s., etc. 

Invisible suspenders — s. worn underneath the shirt or shirtwaist 
and attaching to the trousers buttons, usually by means of loop 
hooks, commonly worn with summer attire when it is desired to 
appear without a vest or coat or both. 

I. O. O. F. coat — same as Masonic Sir Knight's c, but with 9 
buttons instead of 11. 

I. O. U. — familiar term for chirographical curiosities collected, 
largely as a fad, perhaps, by tailors. 
Iridescent — color-glitter ; an effect of weaving. 
Irish linen — general term for fine, plain-woven full-bleacht linen 
cloth for shirt bosoms, collars and cuffs, handkerchiefs, etc. ; usu- 
ally 36 inches wide. 

Iron — lots of it used to weight cheap silks. 

Iron cloth — a fabric manufactured from steel wool, having the 
appearance of having been woven from horsehair and used for 
stiffening certain kinds of coat collars, such as standing collars 
on uniforms, etc. 
Iron garters — cant for leg irons. 
Iron-yarn — lustrene (qv). 

Ironing — a finishing process in felt hat manufacturing. 
Ironing — a finishing process used on the uppers of some kinds of 
shoes, a peculiarly shaped iron being used, in modern practise 
heated by electricity, sometimes by a lamp or flame. The process 
is used to smooth out the wrinkles and creases formed in the 
leather by handling the shoes thru the factory in the earlier man- 
ufacturing stages, the shoe being placed on a form during the 
operation. 
Irons — see Cokers. 

Istle — the fiber of a Mexican plant used for cheap brushes, imi- 
tation haircloth, etc. Also called Tampico, Mexican fiber, etc. 



Ita 139 Jag 

Italian cloth — a plain-colored, twill-woven fabric, resembling 

heavy satine or jeans, composed of cotton warp with worsted or 

mohair filling; also of both cotton warp and weft. 

Ivory — tusks of the elephant, hippopotamus, narwhal, walrus, etc. 

See also I. nut and Vegetable i. 

Ivory nut — the seed of a Venezuela palm (phytelephas macro- 

carpa) ; when dry is very hard and resembles natural ivory in 

textur and color; made into buttons, etc. See Vegetable i. 



J 



Jabot — the shirt-frill or ruffle we wore in the 18th century; a 
fancy falling-band. 

Jacerma — a sort of short doublet, part of the national costume of 
Hungary. 

Jack-a-dandy — some sort of a fop. 

Jack boots — (1) originally, large top b., reaching above the knees 
and worn defensivly; (2) riding b. with a large frontpiece at the 
knees ; (3) heavy top b. reaching above the knees, worn by fisher- 
men and others. 

Jack-knife — a large, strong clasp k. for the pocket; in the navy 
worn with a lanyard. 
Jack-towel — a roller t. 
Jackanapes — another sort of a fop. 

Jacket — (1) a short coat, usually not extending to the knees; a 
sack coat; (2) the sack coat worn by servants. 
Jacket suit — same as sack s. and lounge s. (qv). 
Jacobite — a shirt collar. 

Jaconet — a light, soft white cotton cloth, similar to cambric, but 
heavier, used for undergarments, night shirts, etc. 
Jacquard loom — a 1. for weaving fancy figured goods as dam- 
asks, etc. 

Jaeger — trade diminutiv for the sanitary natural wool under- 
wear, etc., introduced by Dr. S. Jaeger, a German scientist who 
advocates the wearing of nothing but natural wool garments in- 
side and out, as well as for sleeping, house furnishings, etc., and 
by extension applied to other makes of natural wool underwear. 
Jag — in New England, a parcel, bundle, or load; an old English 
provincialism which has held its ground colloquially on this side 
of the Atlantic. Jag is also a slang term for an umbrella, possibly 
from that article being so constantly carried. Also descriptiv of 
being so happy with foolish froth that one can't stand steadily. 



Jai 140 Jew 

Jail clothes — see Prison uniform. 
Jam — cant for gold ring. 
Jansenist — see Wig. 
Jant — jaunty or stylish (?) (1816). 
Janus cloth — a two-faced (sic) plain-woven worsted c. 
Japan — a sort of varnish for metallic things. 
Japanned leather — term for varnisht leathers, of which patent 1. 
and enamel 1. are varieties. 

Jardiniere — weaving term for flowery effects ; many-colored. 
Jasper — in weaving, a seeded or pepper-and-salt effect, rather 
more distinctiv than Oxford (qv). 
Java — a straw hat braid. 

Jean — a stout, round-twilled cloth, either all-cotton or cotton 
warp with wool filling; of various grades and finishes; used prin- 
cipally for working trousers. 

Jean de Bry — a long skirted coat of about 1810, the tails of which 
were twice the length of the body part. 

Jeannet — a coarse variety of jean (qv) differing structurally in 
that the warp instead of the weft-threads form the twill. (Jean- 
nette.) 

Jellab — a hooded woolen garment, somewhat like a blouse, worn 
by Moors and Arabs. Corruption of Jellabia. 
Jemmy — a fop. 
Jenny — a spinning machine. 

Jepson — a one-piece suit of clothes for men, invented by Edgar 
Jepson, an Englishman, at about the turn of the present century 
— a sort of combination coat and trousers intended mainly for 
work and play wear, rather than for social intercourse, the in- 
ventor himself wearing, then, the regulation attire. Also called 
"loose skins". 

Jerkin — a sort of waistcoat, still in use in North of England ; 
formerly a jacket, short-coat, or upper-doublet. 
Jersey — a sort of sweater. 

Jersey cloth — a stockinet c. of silk-and-wool or wool-and-cotton ; 
very elastic. Compare Stockinet. 

Jet — a variety of hard, dense, black mineral coal, capable of a 
brilliant polish, used in making buttons, ornaments, mourning 
jewelry, etc. Also called black amber. 

Jetted pocket — in tailoring, a slit or slasht p., having a small strip 
or piece of the material seamed on and turned over inside, form- 
ing a cord at the turned edge and acting as a facing within. Also 
called Corded p. 
Jeunesse doree — gay youth. 
Jewel case — a container for jewelry. 

Jeweler's rouge — hematite (red oxid of iron) ground to an im- 
palpable powder; used for polishing. 



Jew 141 Jud 

Jeweler's sawdust — finely grained boxwood s. ; used as a cleans- 
ing and drying agent on gems and jewelry. 
Jewelry — ostentatious bedizenment. 

Jiji japa — (1) the fiber of a South American plant of same 
name, made into hats much like Panama hats, but considerably 
cheaper; (2) a hat of this fiber. (Pronounced hehe happa.) 
Jilted pocket — see Jetted p. (Corruption.) 

Job lot — general term applied to odd lots of merchandise set 
apart for sale at reduced prices. 

Jobber — (1) one who purchases merchandise in large lots and 
resells in smaller ; (2) a contractor for a mill's output. 
Jock-strap — vulgarism for the plain suspensory customarily worn 
by athletes. See Suspensory. 

Jockey cap — a small skull c. of silk or satin with a prodigious 
visor of same material, in the color or colors of the horse's owner. 
Jockey club — a well-known perfume once quite popular with 
men. 

Jockey lift — a metal device used in drawing on livery boots, serv- 
ing at the same time to hold the breeches securely in place while 
boot is being pulled on. 

Johnny Jones hat — see Telescope h. — it's a bit more rakish. 
Join — tailor's term for seams generally, and specially for the 
notcht or markt parts of a seam. 

Joining paste — a preparation used by actors to blend the wig- 
band with the forehead in making up. 

Join-up — the process of sewing the two halves of a coat or trous- 
ers together. 

Joseph — the caped surtout of olden days; a riding coat; also 
called wrap-rascal (qv). 

Josette — a heavy twilled cotton cloth similar to khaki, used for 
riding breeches, sporting wear, etc. 
Josie — see Joseph. 

Jour — tailoring workshop abbreviation for journeyman (qv). 
Journeyman — a workman who has completed his apprenticeship 
or learned his trade. 

Joury — a local familiar name applied to fellow "jours". 
Jouvin — trade diminutiv for gloves made by Jouvin et Cie., Gren- 
oble, France. Xavier Jouvin was the inventor of an automatic 
glove cutting machine. 

Jowhir — the "watering" of a Damascus blade ; "damascening". 
Judge's gown — a plain, open g. of black silk, without collar, and 
with wide, flowing sleeves. 

Judge's wig — a large, full-bottomed w. of precise curls, with a flap 
hanging down in front on each side of the face. (English.) 
Judgment — a favorit word with cutters in criticism of (tailoring) 
"systems" — especially those who make great pretensions but who 
do not as regularly "make good". 



Jud 142 Ker 

Judicial gown — see judge's g. 

Jumper — a workman's loose outer-jacket or blouse. 
Jumper — a mechanical pressing machine used in clothing facto- 
ries, so called because the operator jumps on a lever to secure 
extra pressure. 

Juniors — trade term for boy's clothing, generally. 
Junk — (1) any miscellaneous lot or collection of goods ; (2) goods 
of very inferior quality. 
Jupe — a heavy jacket. (Same as below?) 

Jupon — a sort of surcoat without sleeves, tight fitting, but shorter 
than the hauberk (qv) over which it was worn; almost always 
made of rich stuffs and blazoned with the arms of the wearer. 
(About 1400 A. D.) 
Justice's gown — see Judge's g. 



K 



Kaikai — a thin, plain-woven, cheap Japanese silk fabric, usually 
in warp stripes. 

Kanaka wolf — (1) a w. of the Sandwich Islands, or loosely, of 
any of the South Sea Islands; (2) the fur thereof. 
Kangaroo — a herbivorous macropodoid, marsupial mammal of 
Australasia, whose hide, when tanned, becomes a soft, supple, 
durable, shoe leather. 
Karat — see Carat. 

Kemp — (1) straight, coarse, shiny fibers or "dead hairs", con- 
spicuous in coarse-bred wool ; (2) a mixture of short, coarse, 
white hairs and wool fibers, occurring chiefly where the fleece is 
lightest and shortest. 
Kennel coat — see Paddock. 

Kentucky jeans — a superior quality of jeans (qv). 
Kerchief — see Handkerchief and Neckerchief. 
Kersey — a heavy, all-wool cloth, compact, firm and pliable, 
gigged and fulled to a degree completely covering and concealing 
the warp and weft threads, the face finisht with a fine, short, 
close nap ; of quality depending on the wool used, the cheaper 
grades often being thickened with flocks. Also a twill-woven 
cloth of cotton warp and wool weft, similarly finisht, used for the 
cheaper grades of clothing. 

Kerseymere — (1) a fine, twilled, woolen cloth of peculiar tex- 
ture, 1 thread of warp and 2 of weft being always above; (2) a 
name sometimes given to cassimere. 



Ker 143 Kil 

Kerseynette — cassinette. 

Kevenhuller — a cockt hat with the crown wholly hidden, the 
middle of the front brim being the highest point ; this succeeded 
the cockt hat (qv) of the 1770's. 

Key chain — a metal chain for attaching Mr. Staylate's bunch of 
keys to a trouser's button. 

Key ring — a more or less complex safety device from which keys 
are easily lost. 

Khaki — a browny-drab or dust-colored cloth of cotton or cotton 
and linen, of stout texture, compactly woven with a slight twill, 
adopted by various governments for field service dress ; also used 
by civilians for riding breeches, hunting clothes, etc. 
Khaki cap — (marine corps) for all officers, of same pattern as 
blue undress c, the base of the c. all around to a depth of % in. 
of dark blue cloth, a y 2 in. black patent leather strap, bronze 
corps device and buttons. 

Kicker — a customer who doesn't seem to be satisfied. 
Kicking for a job — tailor's term for applicants for work. 
Kicks — slang for trousers. 

Kicksie — one of many names for children's romping clothes, es- 
pecially of the bloomer order; sometimes applied to drawers, 
pantalets, etc. 

Kid — leather made from young goats for gloves, shoes, etc. 
Kid — wool classification term. See Wool. 
Kids — kid gloves. 

Kihei — a sort of mantle, about 6 feet square, of tapa bark (see 
Malo) once (and perhaps occasionally now) worn by both sexes 
in Hawaii; by the men as a sort of upper garment, by tying 2 
corners on one side together and putting the head thru the open- 
ing so made. 

Kike — contemptuous term for unscrupulous, tricky Hebrew mer- 
chants and manufacturers ; a term little used outside of the ap- 
parel trades and seldom heard in connection with large concerns. 
Kill — in tailoring, a garment that cannot be made satisfactory, 
after repeated alterations is said to be "a kill from the start" ; a 
misfit; any garment not made according to specifications and 
which must be replaced by a new one. 
Kilmarnock — a Scotch cap. 

Kilt — (1) originally that part of a Scotchman's belted plaid which 
hung below the waist ; modernly, a separate garment like a short 
plaited petticoat reaching from the waist to the knees, commonly 
made of clan tartan goods ; (2) a children's garment like the 
modern k. of any material — a step between dresses and pants. 
Kilt hose — long, heavy, woolen h., usually with fancy tops that 
are rolled or turned back several times to form a sort of cuff at 
about the hight of the calf. 



Kim 144 Kne 

Kimona — in old Japan the characteristic dress of both sexes ; 
nowadays, in this land, the garment that makes a woman look 
dowdy to her husband and entrancing to someone else's husband. 
Kip — see Kips. 

Kips — the skins of yearlings and animals larger than calves. 
Kiss-me-quick — a curl or fashioned lock of hair on one side of 
the forehead. 

Kit bag — a commodious leather traveling b., having a flat, rec- 
tangular bottom and sloping sides. 
Kit pack — a sort of half boot of the long, long ago. 
Kite tail — term applied to a make of athletic underwear, having 
the skirt (of the shirt) cut away over the hips, leaving flaps or 
tails in front and behind. 
K K — tailor's hoglatin for sawhorsy legs. 
Kleptomaniac — a shoplifter (qv) of social position. 
Klondyke cap — a c. usually made of fur, having a round crown, 
a large visor and ear tabs connected behind and tied over the top 
when not worn down. 

Knapsack — a pouch or case of leather or stout cloth, used by 
soldiers, travelers, prospectors, etc., for carrying light personal 
luggage, usually worn strapt to the back. 

Knee band — the lower hem or finishing-piece on knickerbockers 
or breeches ; made to close with buttons, straps or lacings. 
Knee breeches — same as Breeches. Compare Knickerbockers. 
Knee breeches — the first important event in a boy's life. 
Knee-buckle — old name for short trousers or breeches for dress 
wear. 

Knee buckles — objects of splendor when breeches were in form; 
oftenest of silver. 

Knee cap — an external covering for the knees, worn as a pro- 
tection by carpenters, carpet layers, et al. 

Knee drawers — reaching only to the knee, specially devised for 
summer comfort. 

Knee protectors — shields of leather or other material, worn, 
when not out of sight, by youngsters when playing marbles and 
other destructiv innocent games. 

Knee silk — thin, tough s. sewed inside knees of trousers to re- 
lieve the strain and prevent bagging. 

Knee staking — a process in leather manufacture, where the dyed 
and dried skins are still further stretcht, loosened and made 
pliable by pressure of a workman's bare knee on the leather 
Drought quickly down the stake. 

Knee warmers — stockinet or other knitted elastic, wool, silk or 
cotton coverings for persons afflicted with cold, weak or rheu- 
matic knee joints. 

Kneipp linen — an elastic, mesh-knitted, linen fabric used for un- 
dergarments. 



Kni 145 Knu 

Knickerbocker — weaving term for ornamental effects produced 
by using yarns of two single threads twisted and containing 
added loose wool at intervals, which, when woven, gives a 
shaggy or lumpy appearance. See Bourette and Boucle. 
Knickerbocker drawers — knee length. 

Knickerbockers — knee breeches with loose, baggy knees, usually 
fastened with strap and band, instead of close fitting cuffs. Com- 
pare Breeches. 

Knife lanyard — a sling of knitted, bleacht white cotton, worn 
by enlisted men in the navy, long enough when around the neck 
to allow a knife to be used with arm extended. 
Knights of Pythias coat — same as Masonic Sir Knights c, but 
with 9 buttons instead of 11. 
Knights Templar coat — see Sir Knights c. 
Knit — See Knitting. 

Knitted cloth — a fine, closely knitted fabric of silk or mercerized 
cotton yarn, made in Saxony and but little known in this coun- 
try; principal uses gloves and underwear for the European 
market. 

Knitted vest — a sort of cardigan jacket or sweater of any mate- 
rial and degree of fineness, fashioned much like an ordinary waist- 
coat. 

Knitting — the process of forming a fabric out of a single thread 
by means of needles on which the thread or yarn is placed in a 
succession of loops, so arranged in rows that each loop in one 
row passes thru the adjacent loop in the preceding row. 
Knitting machine — any machine for knitting fabrics or garments, 
usually employing a series of barbed or hooked needles. 
Knitting wool — fleece too long and coarse for fine weaving pur- 
poses. See Wool. 

Knock-kneed — knees that turn inwardly or rub against each 
other in walking. See K.-k. 

Knockabout — any rough-and-ready clothes or garment; more 
specifically, a loose overcoat or "slip-on". 

Knocker — the man who finds fault with this book because he 
happens to know more about a certain subject than is given in 
the definition. This is a book of "handy reference" — not a text 
book. 

Knopt yarn — weft yarn distinguisht by lumps or knots, usually 
of different color, at uniform or varying distances thruout its 
length. (Knopped.) 

Knot — a cravat with flowing ends, tied the same as a fourinhand. 
Knuckle duster — a metal weapon used to protect the knuckles 
and to add force to a blow. See Brass k. ; also called (slang) 
"knucks" (qv). 

Knuckle mitt — a small cushion of padded leather, with a strap, 
worn for punching bag practise and exhibitions. 



Knu 146 L an 

Knucks — thug's finger jewelry, so constructed as to be of much 
efficacy in a fracas. 

Krimmer — Persian lamb ; the curly gray fur of commerce. 
Kris — a large dagger, used by the Malays — Englisht "crease". 
Kt — abbreviation for karat or carat (qv). 



L 



Label — a badge, stamp or any distinguishing mark, affixt to 
articles of merchandise. 

Lace — once used for men's neckwear. See encyclopedia if you 
wish to know more. 

Lace stay — a piece of tape or similar material placed between the 
thicknesses of the leather in the uppers of shoes to strengthen the 
uppers where the lacing eyelets or hooks are inserted. 
Lace-up boots — Briticism for laced shoes. 
Lace work — trade term for open work designs in hosiery. 
Lacrosse gloves — same as Hockey g. 

Ladies-cloth — a fine, wide flannel, slightly napt, similar to broad- 
cloth. 

Lagniappe — something thrown in over and above ; good meas- 
ure. Current in New Orleans — but fast disappearing from use. 
See Brotus. 

Laguna — trade name for a variety of wood from the Philippine 
islands, used for walking sticks. 

Laid-on flap — in tailoring a f. not sewed into the pocket opening 
but laid on above it, usually wider than the opening, as the side 
pockets of frock coats. See In-and-out f. 

Laid-on velvet collar — in tailoring a c. partly of velvet and partly 
of the material of the garment, the former laid upon the cloth 
but not covering it, usually to within half an inch or so of the 
edge, the exposed cloth forming a sort of border or frame. Com- 
pare Inlaid c. 

Laid wool — w. clipped from sheep that have been greased or 
tarred as a protection from the weather. 

L'Aiglon coat — a sort of cutaway frock c. made familiar by Sarah 
Bernhardt when she appeared in Rostand's play of that name as 
Due de Reichstadt. 

Lamb's wool — the first clip from young sheep. Compare 
Wether w. 

Lamps — spectacles or eye-glasses. 

Lance — textil term for woven effects like minute darts, points, 
specks, etc. 



Lap 147 Lat 

Lap-and-foot robe — an adjustable rubber or cloth lap r. for auto- 
mobile wear, serving as over-trousers, robe and foot-muff. 
Lap-board — an oblong board, round at the ends, laid on the lap 
of the workman, upon which the seams and other parts of a 
garment are presst in the process of making. 
Lap front — a straight standing shirt collar without front open- 
ing, but lapping one end over the other when buttoned. 
Lap robe — a rug for driving or traveling. 

Lap seam — a s. made by overlapping or laying on, instead of 
turning in ; one edge laid or lapt over the other and sewn twice. 
See Double-stitcht s. 
Lap seam — (glove term) see Pique s. 

Lapel — (1) the length of a dress coat in front, or from the gorge 
seam down to the waist seam ; (2) the narrow strip — square 
at the lower end and angular at the upper end — which is sewed 
to the front of double-breasted frock coats ; (3) the roll or 
"lay-over" of the front of a sack coat or any coat; the most ob- 
servable part of a coat collar. 

Lapel button — coat jewelry, usually bearing lodge emblem. 
Lapel fob — a watch f. or short chain of metal, leather, etc., worn 
attacht to the 1. buttonhole, the watch being carried in the 
outside breast pocket of coat; also called Watch Albert. 
Lapel forepart — the sewed-on lapel of a double-breasted frock 
coat. See L. seam and Frock coat. 

Lapel seam — the s. caused by sewing the back edge of the lapel 
strip to the front edge of the forepart. 

Lapidary — one who cuts, grinds, polishes and mounts precious 
stones and other gems. 
Lappet — a small lap or flap. 

Lappet weaving — a method of producing small figures or de- 
signs on cloth, having the appearance of being darned or em- 
broidered ; special warp threads being introduced and made to 
cross small sections of the regular warp, manipulated by a lappet 
or needle attachment. 

Lares and Penates — one's household gods ; loosely one's belong- 
ings of all sorts. 

Last — a wooden form on which shoes are made. 
Lasting — a strong, closely-woven, double-twill, worsted fabric, 
mostly used for buttons and shoe tops. 
Lasting — the process of giving shape to a shoe. 
Lasting button — a b. made on a mold covered with lasting cloth ; 
worn on evening dress almost exclusively. 
Latch key — a door k. that sometimes does not fit. 
Latchet — a shoe lace or fastener of a sandal. 
Latin cassock — differing from the Anglican c. in that it buttons 
all the way down the front with the cincture knotted forward of 
the left hip. 



Lau 148 Let 

Launder — to wash and iron, as articles of clothing. 
Laundry — the place of destruction. 

Laundry bag — better than a newspaper for your soiled linen. 
Laundryman — keeper of the place of torment. 
Laundry marks — causes of profanity. 
Lavant — see Wig. 

Lavender — a nice, clean scent for linen. 
Laventine — a thin silk used for sleeve linings. 
Lawyer's — see Wig. 

Lay — in garment making the disposition of the paper patterns 
upon the cloth prior to cutting, so arranged as to effect economy 
of material, achieve exact matching of patterns, etc. 
Lay down collar — a low, folded linen shirt c. 
Lay-out — see Lay. 
Lay-over — see Lapel. 

Lay-up — in shirt collar making the successiv layers of linen or 
cotton cloth laid out on tables and from which by means of pat- 
terns and a sharp knife a number of collars or parts are cut at 
one time. 

Layette — a fussy outfit of clothes, etc., provided in anticipation 
of units affecting the birthrate. 

Leaf — in tailoring, a word used to describe the folded part of a 
collar (exclusiv of the lapels). The ordinary coat collar consists 
of an outer 1., or that part folded over, and an inner 1., or that part 
on the inside of the fold, also called the "stand". Used alone the 
word leaf means outer 1. 

Leaf — a division of warp threads in weaving for the insertion of 
the weft ; a loom harness. 

Leather — cant term for pocketbook — to "pull off leather", is, 
therefore, to steal pocketbooks or purses. 
Leathers — colloquial for coachmen's kidskin livery breeches. 
Left dress — the right way. See Dress. 

Left-overs — goods carried over from one season or "sale" to an- 
other. 

Left twill — weaving term indicating that the direction of the rib 
(as of serge, cheviot, etc.) leads from the bottom of the cloth 
(held lengthwise) upwardly to the left. See Right t. 
Leg irons — climbing irons ; also shackles. 

Leggin — a covering for the leg like a long gaiter ; a protector in 
cold or wet weather or out-door sports. (Legging.) See Puttee. 
Leghorn — a light-weight hat straw, usually in herringbone 
weave. 

Leipzig dye — an unusually rich color (and finish) given to seal- 
skins and other furs dyed in Leipzig, which it seems impossible 
to obtain elsewhere. Compare London d. 
Let out — to make larger or longer. 



Let 149 Lin 

Letter-carrier's uniform — see Postman's u. 
Leur — a hatter's brushing pad. 

Levantine — a stout twilled silk, each side finisht equally but of 
different colors. 

Levelling — a mechanical process in shoe-making, following the 
operation of Goodyear stitching, whereby the turn-up of the 
channel is prest down or leveled by means of two rolls moving 
automatically back and forth with a pressure of about 5000 
pounds. 

Levy — eleven pence, the value of the Spanish real, which circu- 
lated in this country some years ago. (Pronounced levvy.) 
Lid — a hat — slang, of course. 
Lid — a pocket flap. 

Lieutenant's uniform — (navy) see Special full dress, Full dress, 
Dress, Service dress, Evening dress, Mess dress, Undress ; (ma- 
rine corps) Special full dress, Full dress, Mess dress, Undress, 
Field dress ; (revenue cutter service) Full dress, Dress, Service 
dress, Social full dress ; (army) Full dress, Dress u., White u., 
Service u. See also variations. 

Lieutenant general's uniform — see Full dress, Dress u., White 
u., Service u. Also see variants. 

Life belt — a belt of inflated rubber, or one containing cork, for 
use as a life preserver. 

Life preserver — a cork-filled belt, ring or jacket worn, if obtain- 
able, after accidents at sea. 
Lifters — cant for crutches. 

Ligne — a unit of measurement: 1/11 of an inch (ribbon meas- 
ure), 1/40 of an inch (button measure), etc.; the rib of a braid; 
as 6 ribs is 6 ligne, etc. 
Lily irons — confederate handcuffs. 

Limericks — a name once given to gloves of such delicate thin- 
ness, that altho they would fit a large hand, they would fold up 
into the compass of a walnut shell. From the town of that name, 
once famous for its glove industry. For the nature of the leather 
see Morts and Slinks. 

Limestone wool — powdered limestone mixt with chemicals, sub- 
jected to heat and strong air-blast, coming out as fluffy white 
wool, which is woven into a flexible fabric used for clothing. 
Liming — a process in leather preparation following that of sweat- 
ing (qv), whereby roots of hairs are loosened. 
Line — the fine, long fiber of flax, separated from the tow by 
heckling. 
Line — see Ligne. 
Lined gold — see Rolled g. 

Linen — general name for fabrics woven from yarns spun from 
the fiber of flax ; nothing like reading an encyclopedic article. 



Lin 150 Liv 

Linen mesh — a net or cellular sort of weave, of linen, used for 
undergarments. 

Linen prover — see Counting glass. 

Linen test — see Breaking t., Burning t., Oil t., Sulfuric acid t., 
Thru-lighting t, Untwisting t. 

Lining — general term for materials used for covering the inner 
side of a garment or anything. In men's clothing usually silk, 
Italian cloth, farmer's satin, serge, alpaca, silesia, etc. 
Links — (1) shirt cuffs not closed or overlapping at the ends when 
buttoned; (2) double-headed buttons worn with link cuffs, of the 
dumb-bell or loose-link variety; (3) two coat buttons joined by 
workt strands of silk thread, worn sometimes in dress and frock 
coats, also in open vented sleeves. 

Linocord — proprietary name given to a style of buttonhole for 
collars and cuffs having a line of heavy thread or cord (whence 
name) past and worked around the aperture. 

Linsey-woolsey — a stout, medium-weight cloth made with linen 
warp and wool filling; a homespun and homewoven fabric of 
colonial days, now practically obsolete. 
Lirripipe — a sort of tippet, tempus Richard II. 
Lisle thread — a fine, hard-twisted, compact t. of long staple cot- 
ton prepared by combing instead of by carding, employed in the 
manufacture of fine hosiery, underwear, gloves, etc. 
List — the selvage of woven textil fabrics. 
List slippers — cloth s. 

Litter — a temporary bed upon which a wounded or sick person 
is carried. 

Little Lord Fauntleroy — an impossible kid that started a clothes 
cult. 

Live net — a netted-mesh bag for bringing home fish, made much 
like a woman's shopping bag. 
Liver pad — slang for chest protector (qv). 
Livery — the dress or uniform of servants. 
Livery — see Wool. 
Livery cloth — see Boxcloth. 

Livery tailor — one who makes a specialty of and whose business 
consists largely if not entirely of the making of dress and undress 
livery and uniforms. 

Livery undress — groom's frock or sack stable suit, made of tan, 
brown or black mixt whipcord. The frock coat may be worn 
with either trousers or breeches and leggings. 
Living-in — term describing the manner of employment of Eng- 
lish shop assistants who are generally boarded with or at the 
expense of their employers in quarters above the stores or in 
specially maintained dormitories or barracks; a survival of the 
old system of apprenticeship, but which, under pressure of public 



Liz 151 Lon 

opinion and modern business ideas, is dying away to the greater 
independence and welfare of the clerks. 
Lizzie — a mental dude. 

Llama — a soft, glossy, woolen suiting woven with a fine twill ; a 
finer and more expensiv cloth than vicuna (which it resembles), 
properly made from the fleece of the Llama goat, tho largely 
mixt with cheaper wool. 

Loaded — dyer's term for fabrics surcharged with gums and other 
dressings for extra or fraudulent weight. 
Loading — see Weighting. 

Lock front — trade term for shirt collars of the folded variety hav- 
ing one blade or end so shaped and extended as to go within the 
opposit fold and hold the collar firmly in position or "lock" it. 
See also Meeting-folder and Spaced-front. 

Lock-out — the shutting up of a mill, factory or store because the 
owners will not agree to demands of employes or because latter 
would not agree to work on terms offered by the employers. 
Lock stitch — see Chain s. 

Lockram — a cheap, coarse linen fabric, originally made in Loc- 
renan, Brittany. 

Locust — familiar for policeman's club ; a night stick. 
Loden — a waterproof cloth made by the peasants in the Tyrol 
from wool of mountain sheep; resembles Irish frieze, and is 
mostly used for knockabout shirts for mountain climbing, hunt- 
ing, prospecting, etc. 

Logwood — the blue-black dye obtained from the tree of that 
name. 

Loin cloth — complete attire in hot, uncivilized countries — among 
the natives. 

London — the mere name was once virtually deified and counted 
the arbiter elegantiarum in men's wear. 

London dye — trade term for the rich brown d. of sealskins, espe- 
cially employed when the skins are actually dyed in London. 
Compare Leipzig d. 

London fashions — a term of conjuration used by tailors and 
readymaders alike but having no significance apart from the 
casuistry of the words. 

London letter — a fashion 1. written in New York or anywhere 
but London. 

London shrunk — see Cold water s. 
London toe — in shoe-making, a medium broad t. 
Long dresses — the clothes of early infancy. 

Long measures — general term for those systems of tailors' meas- 
urements characterized by the taking of as few and as compre- 
hensiv measurements as necessary to lay out a pattern, which 



Lon 152 Loo 

measurements are subdivided in drafting, as required to give 
other dimensions not taken on the victim on the block. Compare 
Short m. and Superlativ m. 
Long moire — m. antique (qv). 
Long neckt — see Low-n. 

Long pants — the first important event in a boy's life. 
Long roll — tailor's term for lapels or revers buttoning low and 
usually soft-prest. 

Long-slim — trade term for readymade garments designed to fit 
tall, slender persons. Compare Slim, Long-stout and Longs. 
Long staple — having a long fiber. See Cotton and Wool. Com- 
pare Short s. 

Long-stout — trade term for readymade garments designed to fit 
corpulent persons of more than average hight. 
Long tail — see Wig. 

Long togs — nautical term for civilian clothes. 
Long vamp — Synonymous with whole v., as compared with a 
short or cut-off v., a whole v., not having that part of the v. cov- 
ering the toes, about the size of a tip on the ordinary shoe, cut off. 
By cutting off a little of the v. at this point a saving is made in 
the leather, and, therefore, in the cost of a shoe ; but with some 
leathers, however, it makes a better shoe. 
Long wool — fleece 4 to 10 inches long. See Wool. 
Longs — trade term for readymade garments designed to fit tall 
men. Compare Slim, Long-slim and Long-stout. 
Longs — early familiar term for pantaloons or trousers. Com- 
pare Shorts. 

Lonsdale — a brand of shirting muslin and cambric. 
Looking glass — a reflector of vanities. See Mirror. 
Loom — a machine in which yarn or thread is woven into a fabric, 
by the crossing of threads called chain or warp, running length- 
wise, with others called weft, woof or filling, running crosswise. 
Loom card — a perforated pattern card, such as is used on the 
Jacquard loom. 

Loom figured — textil term for patterns or effects produced by 
arrangement of warp and weft threads in contradistinction to 
those made by printing; "self-figured". 

Loom harness — that portion of a loom which so operates or acts 
upon the warp-threads as to make the opening thru which the 
shuttle flies. 

Loomask — a kind of half mask. See Loup. 

Looney — an oblong, flattened pad, used in pressing and giving 
form to the collar, lapels and shoulders of a coat. 
Loop stitch — see Chain s. 
Loopt yarn — see Curled y. 



Loo 153 Lun 

Lcoscarf — proprietary name for a linen shirt collar, of the double 
or high-banded order, so made that a scarf or tie slips around in 
it easily, without the tension characterising the ordinary style 
of collar. 

Loose-fitting — by no means tight nor close ; free ; boxy. 
Loose links — linkt cuff buttons not rigidly connected, but held 
together by means of a fine chain, a large link, or a separable slip 
catch. 

Loose-skins — a sort of union outer-suit. See Jepson. 
Lord Chumley — the cape overcoat popular in this country about 
1890, from the play of that name ; still popular abroad as a travel- 
ing coat. 

Loretto — a fine silk material largely used for waistcoats about 
1767. 

Lot number — a stock n. given to goods for identification pur- 
poses. 

Louchettes — goggles permitting vision only directly in front, 
used for strabismus. 
Loud — gaily drest; flashy. 

Louisine — a fine-twilled silk fabric, similar to surah, but softer 
and firmer. 

Lounge jacket — English name for our single-breasted sack coat. 
Lounge suit — a sack s. 

Lounging robe — a long, loose, house gown. 
Loup — a light mask or half-mask, usually of silk, worn at mas- 
querades, etc. 

Louse-trap — vulgar for a fine-tooth comb. 
Love knot — see True lovers' k. 

Love lock — a long lock of hair curled and tied with ribbons, worn 
hanging in front of the shoulder: an early 17th century fashion 
for men. See also Ear-lock. 

Lovelace — a dandified libertine with graceful, agreeable manners. 
Low common — wool classification term. See Wool. 
Low-cuts — see Low quarters and Oxfords. 
Low middling — see Cotton classification. 

Low-neckt — a garment is said to be "low-neckt" or "long-neckt" 
when the gorge in front is cut low. (L.-necked.) 
Low quarters — trade term for low-cut shoes, as Oxfords, pumps, 
etc. 

Low-shouldered — the extreme opposit of "high-shouldered". 
Luggage — British for baggage (qv). 

Lumbermen's socks — a knitted s. of extra heavy wool, close and 
compact, usually knee length, for wear in boots or with arctics. 
Lunatic fringe — see Idiot f. 
Lunch bag — same as Ammunition b. 



Lun 1 54 Mac 

Luncheon basket — a lined, dust-proof wicker b. or hamper fitted 
with dishes, cooking- utensils, etc., for coaching parties, etc. 
Luster — a low grade or imitation alpaca cloth, often with wool 
weft in place of alpaca. 

Lustering — a mechanical process of giving to cloth, usually by 
steam and pressure, a smooth and glossy surface sufficiently dur- 
able to withstand wear. 

Lustrene — a thin, twilled cotton fabric, mercerized or finisht in 
imitation of silk, and employed as a lining material. 
Lustring — a soft, plain-woven silk fabric, widely worn from late 
17th to middle of 19th century. See Lutestring. 
Lustro-fiber — same as art silk — wood pulp. 

Lutestring — (1) the old-fashioned, glossy silk stuff our ancestors 
had their gay clothes made of; (2) also a narrow silk ribbon, 
without selvage, used for eye-glass cords by the spectacular. 
Lynx — a feline mammal whose fur is largely used in making 
winter garments. 



M 



Macaroni — an obsolete dude. This word dates from 1770, when 
a number of traveled, idle young cads founded the "Macaroni 
Club" in London, the name standing for all that was extreme or 
grotesque in dress ; one of their greatest affectations was a high- 
pointed peakt roll of craped and powdered hair, that women also 
affected, as well as great breastknots of flowers. The word had 
considerable vogue in America in Revolutionary times, and m. 
waistcoats, m. hats, m. purses, etc., were quite popular ; the term 
also occurs in our national "Yankee Doodle". 
Machine buttonhole — produced by machine in imitation of hand- 
made b. and distinguisht principally by a uniformity impossible 
in hand work and often superior thereto in neatness and strength 
tho not necessarily so in wear; also considerably cheaper. 
Machine twist — a 3-cord, silk thread twisted to the left so that 
as it runs thru the machine needle the tension causes the thread 
to tighten up and work or sink into the cloth. See also Sewing 
silk and Buttonhole t. 

Mackinaw — a sort of extra heavy woolen blanketing, well fulled, 
woven in fancy patterns, employed for hunters and lumbermen's 
coats, etc., also as linings for same. 

Mackinaw flannel — an extra heavy, all-wool fabric (16 to 24 oz), 
used by lumbermen, miners, etc., for overshirts, underwear, etc. ; 
usually scarlet and navy-blue. 



Mac 155 Mam 

Mackinaw— a coarse, pliable white straw used in hats. 
Mackintosh — a long, loose overcoat of waterproof material, for 
wear in stormy weather. 

Macnab Harris — a hand-loomed tweed made of mill-spun yarn, 
exhibiting a uniformity of color not possible with homespun 
yarn. 

Maco — trade name for Egyptian cotton — long staple, smooth, 
strong, glossy, easily dyed. 
Madder — a vegetable red dye. 

Made — general trade term expressiv of superiority, claimed or 
conceded, as "that is a made coat", meaning well — not indiffer- 
ently — made. Compare Shop m. 

Madras — a superior variety of gingham, but of heavier weight 
and frequently corded. 

Magellan jacket — a watch coat with hood, worn by sailors in 
high latitudes. 

Magnetic hat — see Wilsonia magnetic h. 

Magnetic ring — a r. of magnetized iron, supposed to have virtues 
in rheumatism and other such light ailments. 
Mail carrier's uniform — see Postman's u. 
Mail order — a sale transacted by mail. 
Major — see Wig. 

Major's uniform — (army) see Full dress, Dress u., White u., 
Service u. ; (marine corps) Special full dress, Full dress, Mess 
dress, Undress, Field dress. Also see variants. 
Major general's uniform — (army) see Full dress, Dress u., White 
u., Service u. ; (marine corps) Special full dress, Full dress, Mess 
dress, Undress, Field dress. Also see variants. 
Make-up — grease paints, powders, gums, patches, bits of hair, 
etc., used by theatrical performers in making-up for their char- 
acters. 

Make-up box — a japanned metal box carried by theatrical people 
for the purpose of impressing beholders with an appearance of 
Wall street affluence. 

Making the lay — tailoring term for the act of laying out the pa- 
per patterns on the cloth for cutting in the most advantageous 
manner. 

Malacca — a species of cane, imported from Sumatra, used for 
walking sticks. 

Malo — a sort of girdle prepared from the inner bark of the tapa 
tree (Broussonetia) a foot or more in width and several yards 
long, worn by men in Hawaii before civilization swept over that 
fair land. 

Mamos — magnificent feather cloaks worn by native kings and 
chiefs of the Hawaiian islands. 



Man 1 56 Mar 

Man-milliner — a designer or seller of female apparel ; often used 
contemptuously. 

Man o' war cap — a c. having a wide, extended flat top on a rim 
fitting to the head; the uniform c. for naval and merchant sea- 
men ; also popular for children. 
Manacles — unfashionable cuffs. 
Mandillion — a sort of loose jerkin or doublet. 
Manicure — a bold, young female person of enormous pulchritude 
who commits felonious assaults upon your finger-nails, and em- 
barrasses you if you are not used to it. 

Maniple — an ecclesiastical vestment, similar to a short stole, 
worn pendant from the left wrist by priest, deacon and subdeacon 
at mass. 

Manipulated — term applied to fabrics which in weaving are 
mixt with some inferior substance, such as cotton with wool or 
silk, shoddy with wool, etc. Sometimes the adulterants are 
carded in with the better fibers, sometimes straight yarns of the 
baser stuffs are used. See Cotton cheat and Mercerized. 
Mannheim gold — a brassy alloy for cheap jewelry, composed of 
80 parts of copper, 20 of zinc, and sometimes with a trace of tin. 
Mantaletta — a sleeveless garment of silk or woolen stuff, reach- 
ing to the knees, covering the rochet, worn by cardinals, bishops 
and other prelates. 

Manteau Armenian — see Armenian cloak. 
Mantle — a cloak. 

Manufacturer — a producer of commodities, who is also some- 
times (more or less erroneously) lookt upon as a dispenser of 
graft (qv). 

Manufacturers' sale — a merchandising subterfuge; a misnomer 
nine times out of ten. 

Marabout — a species of thrown silk. See Throwing. 
Marching shoes — (army) for enlisted men: of russet tanned 
grain calf leather, thoroly stuft ; worn with service uniform. 
Marching uniform — see Service u., Dress u., etc. 
Marienbad hat — see Tyrolean h. 

Marine corps officer's cape — of dark blue cloth, cut three-quarters 
of a circle and reaching to the tips of the fingers, lined with scar- 
let cloth, closed by 4 small buttons in fly, with hooks-and-eyes at 
neck, and with frog and loop as with overcoat; a detachable 
velvet collar with which the c. may be worn by itself by all offi- 
cers when not on duty with troops under arms. 
Marine corps overcoats — for major general commandant and all 
other officers, a semi-fitting sack o. of dark blue cloth, lined with 
scarlet cloth, reaching 9 to 12 inches from the ground, closed 
with black mohair frogs and loops of mohair cord four-across, 
with a long loop and frogs attacht to fronts of shoulder ; vertical 



Mar 157 Mat 

pockets ; rank indicated as prescribed ; sword worn outside. For 
non-commissioned officers, drummers and privates: double- 
breasted, of sky-blue kersey, shaped to the body, extending 6 to 
8 inches below the knee, 16 inch vent in back, stand-or-fall collar, 
2 rows of 7 marine corps buttons on front, scarlet flannel lining; 
a one-piece cape to match. Other details per specifications. For 
leader of the band : same as prescribed for a first lieutenant, with 
same cape. For second leader, drum-major and musicians : same 
as for other enlisted men of the corps, the chevrons of second 
leader and drum-major to be on the cuffs. 

Mark down — an ostensible price-reduction; a triumph of the 
ready ingenuity of the advertisement writer. 
Marker — in ready-to-wear clothes manufacturing a workman 
who lays the patterns on the cloth and marks the cloth for the 
cutters. 

Marking ink — employed by laundries to spoil one's linen. 
Marny tweeds — see Blarney t. 

Marriage ring — a simple gold band, emblematic of bondage. 
Marseilles — a heavy, stout-corded or figured bleacht cotton ma- 
terial similar to pique, used for waistcoats, etc. 
Marsella — a stout, twill-woven linen fabric, usually full bleacht 
and finisht without dressing. 

Marten — a species of sable, the pelts being largely used in the 
manufacture of fur garments. 

Mary Ann collar — British for the highband, folded or double 
shirt c. 

Mary Walkers — trousers ; derived from Dr. Mary Walker adopt- 
ing as part of her dress a modified form of this article of male 
attire. 

Mascaro — a preparation used by actors for changing the color of 
hair, beard or eye-brows in making up. 

Masher — a dandified sumpinorother, often incarcerated when dis- 
covered; a Lizzie. 

Mask — a device of cloth, paper or other material to cover the 
face or eyes or to conceal one's identity and sentiments. 
Mask cap — a c. for automobile wear, with a covering for the face 
with goggles secured therein. 

Masonic uniform — see Sir Knights u., Commander's u. 
Masquerade costume — suit yourself. 

Master's gown — usually silk, long closed sleeves, worn with 
hood. 

Match coat — a rough sort of c. of fur or coarse woolen cloth worn 
by the pilgrim settlers. 

Match safe — a pocket container for matches, often obscene, of 
gold, silver, etc. 



Mat 158 Mer 

Matelasse — a backt or double cloth, the face of which is woven 
with a pattern having the effect of being wadded or quilted ; 
usually of silk-and-worsted with a backing of cotton or wool- 
and-cotton; employed for waistcoats, house jackets, etc. 
Matt — a lusterless or dull surface, as m. kid. Also spelt mat. 
Maud — a traveling rug or shawl. 
Mauve — a reddish-purple anilin dye. 

McKay sewed — in shoemaking meaning soles and uppers sewed 
together on the McKay shoe sewing machine. 
Measuring cape — a device, made of cotton or linen material, 
shaped to fit around the neck and to drop over one shoulder, 
front and back, reaching about to the waist, appropriately marked 
with scales of measurement ; the invention of a tailor by name of 
Beatty, who claims it yields more accurate results than is possi- 
ble by square and tape ; the device is also applicable to drafting. 
Measuring stick — a rule, with one fixt and one movable upright 
piece, for measuring the foot for shoes. 

Measuring tape — a tailor's t. measure, usually 56 to 60 inches 
long, often longer. 

Mechanician's suit — any strong, servicable suit, worn by mech- 
anicians on big motor cars — commonly, sack style, with ample 
pockets, reinforcements, etc. 

Medicin ball — something like a heavy football but with no medi- 
an in it. 

Medium bound — same as half-and-half b. Compare Narrow b. 
and Flat b. 

Meeter — same as meeting folder. 

Meeting folder — trade term for folded shirt collars that come 
close together or meet at the fold when buttoned. Compare 
Spaced front. 

Melange — (1) a French word signifying mixture; (2) woolen 
fabrics of mixt yarns. 

Melton — a stout, compact woolen cloth, thoroly fulled and finisht 
with a close, even nap without luster; very similar but superior 
to kersey (qv). 

Men's outfitter — a name commonly assumed, and not improperly, 
by retailers who combine haberdashery, and frequently hats and 
shoes, with the clothing business. 
Mending tissue — same as Rubber t. 
Mercer — a dealer in cloths or silks. 

Mercerized — a term applied to cotton fabrics of which the yarn 
is chemically treated and the fabric finisht by a combined chem- 
ical-mechanical process described below; also applied to woolen 
fabrics containing an admixture of mercerized cotton. See Ma- 
nipulated and Cotton cheat. 



Mer 159 Mes 

Mercerizing — the process of subjecting cotton yarns or cloth to 
the action of caustic soda and other chemicals, under stretching 
tension, with various subsequent finishing operations, resulting 
in threads or fabrics softer, silkier and stronger than before treat- 
ment; named from John Mercer, an English calico printer, the 
original discoverer but not the perfecter of the process. 
Merchant — one who buys and sells commercial commodities ; 
specifically, a retailer. 

Merchant tailor — a clothier who combines tailoring with ready- 
made. Compare Custom t. 

Merino — (1) a thin woolen fabric made of the fine wool of the 
m. sheep, generally used for women's dress wear; (2) also 
a knitted underwear fabric containing more or less cotton in- 
termixt; (3) hosiery and underwear of wool-and-cotton. 
Merino — the wool of a variety of sheep raised principally for 
their wool, which is of fine quality, long staple and of unequaled 
felting properties. See Wool. 

Merveilleux — a fine, diagonal-twilled silk fabric with a satiny 
face, largely used for linings. 

Mess dress — (navy) a uniform to be worn on ordinary social 
occasions in the evening, to which officers are invited in their 
official capacity, and where hot weather or other circumstances 
make it appropriate, also at dinner on board vessels other than 
those of the fourth rate, by officers for whom the mess jacket is 
prescribed, when the uniform of the day has been white, or, at 
discretion of commanding officer, instead of "evening dress B". 
Consists of, for all commissioned officers (except chief boat- 
swains, chief gunners, chief carpenters and chief sailmakers) and 
for midshipmen: mess jacket, white evening dress waistcoat, un- 
dress trousers (white or full dress trousers, may be prescribed), 
shoulder marks, white cap, black tie. 

Mess dress — (marine corps) worn by all officers on mess occa- 
sions, and may be worn on social occasions to which officers are 
invited in their official capacity, or when evening dress B. is pre- 
scribed for officers of the navy. Consists of mess jacket (blue), 
evening dress trousers and waistcoat, shoulder knots, white 
standing collar, black silk tie, full dress cap, black shoes (white 
waistcoat if prescribed) ; in summer, white mess jacket, white 
or evening dress trousers, white waistcoat, blue or white undress 
cap, black or white shoes ; otherwise the same. 
Mess jacket — (army) a short j. of dark blue cloth, cut like the 
body of an evening dress coat, descending to the hips, slightly 
curved to a point behind and in front, 3 regulation buttons, 
sleeves ornamented same as full dress coat, with other decora- 
tions as adopted by the corps to which the wearers belong, and 
as prescribed by regulation. 



Mes 160 Mil 

Mess jacket — (navy) a short coat of white linen duck or similar 
material, cut similar to body of evening dress coat but descend- 
ing only to the hips and slightly roached over the hips with a 
peak behind; 2 buttons on each side below the lapels and worn 
with two buttons connected by a ring from the first buttonhole ; 
appropriate shoulder marks according to regulations. For chap- 
lains : same with white buttons. 

Mess jacket — (marine corps) a round j. of dark blue cloth lined 
with scarlet silk to edges, in length reaching to point of the hips 
at sides and curving to points in front and rear, 16 small marine 
corps buttons on right side, with buttonholes to match on left 
side, standing collar, and with trimmings for rank as per regula- 
tions; to be worn unbuttoned. Also a white j. of similar style, 
for wear, as prescribed. Worn by major general commandant 
and all other officers. 

Mess uniform — (army) officers of staff corps and departments, of 
artillery, cavalry and infantry are authorized to adopt a mess 
jacket distinctiv of their corps, department or regiment, for social 
evening occasions; with it are worn a waistcoat of the color of 
the coat (or white) and full dress trousers, altho in warm 
weather or in the tropics, white trousers may be worn; black 
shoes. 

Messenger's suit — usually a four-button, double-breasted sack 
s., of plain cloth, with regular peakt lapel collar, with or with- 
out braid trimming, trousers to match. Or, military blouse with 
three diverging rows of buttons closing with hooks and eyes. 
Metric system — better than ours: look it up. 
Mexican fiber — Istle (qv). 
Mi-fine — half f. See Fine. 

Middlesex — general term for standard uniform cloths made by 
the Middlesex Co., Lowell, Mass. 
Middling — see Cotton classification. 
Middling fair — see Cotton classification. 

Middy suit — a s. for small boys, consisting of a sailor blouse and 
long trousers with wide mouths. Compare Sailor s. 
Midshipman's uniform — see Special full dress, Full dress, Dress, 
Service dress, Evening dress, Mess dress, Undress. Also variants. 
Milan — a fine, pliable white straw for hats. 

Milan braid — a variety of flat mohair braid used for trimming 
and binding. 

Military — term for garments affecting military uniforms in fit 
or detail of finish ; also military garments per se. 
Military back — close fitting; shaped. 

Military braid — a name sometimes given to hercules b. and 
soutache b. 

Military brushes — twin hair b. of oval shape, without handle, 
used two at a time. 



Mil 161 Mit 

Military cloths — general term for woolen fabrics intended for 
uniform purposes, such as kersey. 

Military coat — trade name for short sack c. of 1899, having a 
close fitting back. 

Military collar — a plain, straight standing coat c. without turn 
over, of prescribed nights, fastening in front with hooks and eyes. 
Military hair-brushes — see M. brushes. 
Military overcoat — see Army o. 
Military uniforms — see Army u. 

Mill — (1) a place where fabrics are woven; (2) an occasion where 
two gentlemen endeavor to smash the padding out of a peculiar 
sort of gloves over each other's face and solar plexus. 
Mill ends — trade term referring to short lengths, remnants, sec- 
onds, damaged pieces, etc., that accumulate in mills and are usu- 
ally sold at a nominal price. 

Mill finish — a beautiful appearance given to cloths, fabrics, etc., 
which provokes the question, "How will it look after it is 
sponged or laundered"? 

Mill-gang — that part of a loom-warp made by a rising and falling 
course of the threads around old-style warping-mills. 
Mill wrinkles — see Cockling. 

Milliner — a shopkeeper to whom much of hubby's money goes. 
Milling — the process of fulling or thickening cloth. See an en- 
cyclopedia. 

Millwright frock — something worn about 1825, but not identified. 
Miner's coat — a rubber overcoat of generous size, having rein- 
forced sleeves, shoulders, etc., and usually elastic inside sleeves or 
dust shields. 

Minister's — affectionate abbreviation for standard fashion plates 
publisht in London by a firm of that name, and subscribed for 
over here for the purpose of awing customers into a higher re- 
spect for their tailors. 

Mink — an amphibious musteline carnivore of the genus Puto- 
rious, the pelt of which is an important article of fur garment 
manufacture. 

Mirror — glass with one side so backt or coated as to form a 
nearly perfect reflecting surface. 

Misericorde — a "dagger of mercy" carried by European soldiery 
of 15th century for the final dispatch of fallen foes. 
Misfit — the term is a terror to tailors. 
Misfit shop — a merchandising lie. 

Mitchell's — familiar term for standard American fashion plates 
publisht by a concern of that name in New York city, and 
which, like all other fashion plates, make a most impressiv show. 
Miter — a headdress worn in solemn services by bishops and cer- 
tain abbots; a tall, tongue-shape cap, terminating in a two-fold 
point, the whole richly ornamented. (Mitre.) 



Mit 162 Moh 

Mitten — an unwelcome gift from a woman. 

Mittens — a covering or protection for the hands, of leather or 
knitted wool, the thumb only being fashioned, the rest of the 
fingers covered by a single sack or the larger part of the mitten. 
(Almost always used plural). 

Mixing picker — a machine for disentangling wool fibers and 
thoroly mixing them before carding. 
Mixing willey — same as M. picker. 

Mixture — trade term for fabrics woven of dyed yarns, the warp 
and weft being of different shades, or either or both of twisted 
yarns of different colors; any melange weave or effect. 
Moccasin — a foot covering or shoe, without built-up heels, of 
buckskin or other soft leather, worn by American Indians, hunt- 
ers, and others. 

Moccasin shoe — a light, pliable shoe of stout leather, without 
heel, somewhat resembling a m. 

Mocha — general term for sheep or goatskin glove leather, of soft, 
velvety appearance and very durable quality. 
Moche — a package of spun silk as received in import. 
Mock gold — an alloy of copper, zinc and platinum. 
Mock seam — (glove term) a row or rows of stitching in imita- 
tion of a s. 

Mock velvet — see Mockado. 

Mock welt — in shoemaking, an imitation of the Goodyear process 
of sole sewing. See Welt sole, Goodyear welt, McKay sewed, etc. 
Mockado — a sort of velvet with a very deep pile, the better grades 
being of silk, the cheaper of wool, used in 16th and 17th cen- 
turies. Also called Mock velvet. 
Mode — the prevailing fashion or custom. 
Mode — a sort of tan shade; ecru. 

Modelers — workmen who try garments on human models. 
Models — persons employed by some clothing manufacturers and 
upon whom the various garments are fitted for approval ; repre- 
senting types of the section where the garments are to be mar- 
keted. 

Mohair — (1) the fine, silky hair of the Angora goat; (2)a glisten- 
ing, light-weight, plain-woven fabric of cotton warp and filling 
of mohair, enormously durable, used for summer coats, linings, 
etc.; also twill woven. See Angora. 

Mohair braid — a woven b. of mohair, coarser than silk b. of vari- 
ous widths, used principally for military, society and livery uni- 
forms, known variously, according to weave, as hercules-b., 
soutache-b., etc. 

Mohair button — a b. made on a mold covered with braided mo- 
hair threads, worn on dress coats, overcoats, waistcoats, etc. 



Moh 163 Mon 

Mohair corsican — a light-weight fabric for summer suitings, 
woven of Australian wool and fine mohair carded together, with 
a finish lacking the usual sheen or luster of mohair, and war- 
ranted by the makers not to cockle, wrinkle or be affected by- 
damp weather. (Proprietary name). 

Mohair serge — a stout, twill-woven lining material of cotton 
warp and m. weft. 

Moire — (1) a wavy or watered effect produced on silks and other 
fabrics by means of passage thru suitably engraved rollers with 
brushlike attachments for disturbing and shifting the warp 
threads, the process embracing dampening, great pressure and 
ironing; (2) general name for silk (and other fabrics) so treated; 
also called Watered (silk). 

Moire antique — an all-over m. effect. See Moire. 
Moire francaise — a striped or banded m. effect. See Moire. 
Molded counter — in shoemaking, a c. made of shoddy or imita- 
tion leather. 

Moleskin — a heavy, stout, flexible, close-twilled cotton cloth, 
piece dyed and finisht with a scant nap on the back, used for 
hunting and sporting clothes; usually tan or slate-colored. An 
imitation thereof, known by the same name, but lighter, and with 
a printed surface, is used for laborer's trousers, etc. 
Moleskins — colloquial for football clothes. 
Mollie — reverse of tomboy. 

Mollycoddle — sissified males, usually distinguishable by the om- 
nipresent cigaret, also by inflammable neckwear and protesting 
clothes generally, and characterised by incurable lassitude, com- 
plicated by chronic ogling of pretty girls. 

Momie — general term for fabrics characterised by rough, uneven 
weave produced by the threads crossing at irregular intervals or 
by warp and weft threads of various sizes. (Fr mummy). 
Money-belt — a device for containing money, worn around the 
waist under the clothes, commonly of oiled silk or chamois 
leather — usually excess luggage. 

Monk bag — a small purse which sailors wear strung around the 
neck, containing their money and other valuables. 
Monkey-jacket — a short j. cut in sack form, fitting close to the 
waist and flaring out at the bottom. Worn by sailors in cold 
weather. 

Monmouth cap — a c. worn about 1600, largely by sailors. 
Monocle — an eyeglass for one eye ; English, y' know. 
Montagnac — a variety of chinchilla overcoating (qv), having a 
surface composed of small loops, part of which are cut and brusht 
into a flowing nap producing, with the uncut part, a rough, 
shaggy effect. Name from Montagnac Fils, Sedan, France, the 
original weavers. 



Mon 164 Mos 

Montero cap — a horseman's knitted or cloth c. with a simple 
round crown and a flap around the back and sides that could be 
worn down for protection ; worn from 1600 until late in 1800. 
Also called Mountier c. 

Mooding — cutlery term for the rough shapening of blades at the 
first heat. 

Mopusses — nautical slang for money in general. 
Mordant — dyeing term for an)- metallic salt used as a connect- 
ing bond between dye and fabric. 

Morice-dancing dress — a curious garment of fawn-colored silk, 
made in the form of a tunic, with slasht sleeves and trappings of 
red and green satin, worn by members of the ancient guild of 
Glovers at their entertainments, in which dance they had a re- 
markable proficiency. Accompanying the garment were 252 
small circular bells, arranged in 21 sets of 12 bells each, upon 
strips of leather, and fastened on various parts of the dancer's 
body, such sets of bells being perfectly attuned in regular musi- 
cal intervals. 

Morion — a pointed oval iron helmet with a curved rim, bent down 
over the ears, worn by French arquebusiers of the 16th century. 
Morning coat — a single-breasted cutaway frock c, properly of 
black or quiet patterned goods, with or without hip pockets. 
Morning livery — for house footmen, usually plain black tuxedo 
suit; for club and hotel waiters, black, blue or green tuxedo coat 
and trousers, with fancy vest. 
Morse — a clasp used to fasten the cope (qv). 
Mortar-board — a college cap of soft, black material, made to fit 
the head like a skull cap, surmounted by a square of cardboard 
or stiffened canvas (about 12x12 inches), also covered with black 
cloth and with a loose silk tassel about 10 inches long attacht to 
a button placed where the diagonals of the square would inter- 
sect. 

Morts — in the old Irish glove trade, a name given to skins of 
unborn calves, taken from cows that had died. Compare Slinks. 
Moschettos — garments very similar to pantaloons (qv) continued 
to the small of the leg, with a slight spring when the top of the 
shoe is reacht, having an opening with a gaiter tongue and clos- 
ing with buttons, forming a combination of pantaloons and gai- 
ters; worn early in last century. 

Moscow — an overcoating cloth with a heavy nap, similar to Shet- 
land (qv). 

Mosey — an under-jacket, usually made of baize or flannel, and 
worn instead of an undershirt but over the shirt in cold weather, 
and as an outside garment in moderate or warm weather; also 
called a "wammus" (qv). 



Mos 165 Mou 

Mosquito netting — a square mesh, open-woven, cotton fabric, 
employed for bed canopies, tent-opening covers, helmet aprons, 
etc. 

Moth balls — aromatic substances used to disguise the odor of 
goods that have been carried over from one season to another. 
Mother of pearl — see Nacre. 

Moths — pests that make business for the clothier or tailor, or 
disaster, according to where they work. 
Motley — "the only wear" for fools. 

Motor shawl — a light, woolen wrap or neck-piece for motoring 
and outdoor use generally. 

Motorman's uniform — usually same as conductor's u., which see. 
Mouchoir — handkerchief. 

Moule cloth — a soft, velvety overcoating of good thickness but of 
comparativly light weight, tho very warm. 

Mountaineer's boot — same as hunting b., with an extra outside 
counter of sole leather protecting the heel. 

Mountaineer's coat — a bifurcated overcoat, usually of rubber or 
other waterproof material, buttoning around each leg and clos- 
ing snugly around neck and wrists by means of straps or tabs. 
Mountier cap — see Montero-c. 
Mourning — symptoms of real or simulated grief. 
Mourning badge — (navy) for officers a crepe band about 3 inches 
wide and about 20 inches long, knotted upon the sword hilt, and 
a crepe band 3 inches wide worn on the left arm above the elbow ; 
(army) a knot of black crepe worn on the saber hilt for a period 
not exceeding 30 days. 

Mourning band — a broad b. or brassard of black crepe fastened 
on the left arm of a coat, as a makeshift symbol of customary 
grief. Originally worn on English army officers' caps, which, 
being too low to display both b. and decorations or insignia, en- 
forced the dropping to the sleeve ; next adopted by coachmen and 
footmen as recognition of death in the master's family ; afterward 
by costermongers because of its cheapness (and showiness), the 
cost of new black clothes being a grave consideration. Finally 
pickt up by ignorant Americans because of a fancied "smartness" 
— like the nouveau riche who invents a coat of arms, bearing a 
bend sinister. 

Mourning colors — black thruout Europe and America, with a 
tendency to purple in combination ; yellow, Egypt and Burmah ; 
brown, Persia, Ethiopia and Abyssinia; white, China; blue, 
China; violet, Turkey. 
Mourning crepe — see Crepe. 
Mourning handkerchief — black bordered. 

Mourning jewelry — usually lockets made of a lock of the hair of 
the dear departed, sometimes encircling a portrait or miniature, 
emblematic of g-r-i-e-f ! 



Mou 1 66 Mus 

Mourning periods — see Appendix. 

Mourning ring — a finger r. worn in memory of a dead person, 
who may have bequeathed it or the money to purchase it ; once 
upon a time en regie at a funeral and awhile after; often en- 
ameled black and bearing lugubrious moral mottos. 
Moustache curler — see Curling iron. 

Moustache paste — a sort of pomade used by actors, in making up, 
for the purpose of hiding or flattening their own upper-lip adorn- 
ments. 

Moustache trainer — a device for giving a fierce, amiable, freak- 
ish, languid, important or asinine appearance to one's labial 
adornment. 

Muckender — colonial for handkerchief. 

Mozetta — a short cape covering the shoulders, a part of the state 
dress of bishops when not pontificating, worn with the rochet. 
Mud scows — slang for overshoes. 

Muff — a cylindrical fur pillow or cushion into which the hands 
are thrust to keep them warm, nowadays carried only by women, 
but once upon a time men, too, wore them. 
Muffetees — colonial for wristlets. 

Muffler — a piece of silk, wool or other material, usually square, 
used for warmth and protection of the throat in cold weather. 
Muffler — a name once given to boxing gloves. 
Mufflet — proprietary name for a knitted throat band, buttoning 
in the back, with a small apron in front covering the coat opening. 
Mufti — (i) citizen's dress worn by military or naval officers off 
duty; (2) ordinary dress as distinguish^ from full dress or dress 
for state occasions. 

Mule — a slipper without heel or heel-counter; a slip-on. 
Mule — a spinning machine delivering rovings from drawing-rolls 
to spindles on a carriage that recedes from the rolls as the threads 
are twisted and returns to them as the thread is wound, perform- 
ing the operations of drawing, stretching and twisting simulta- 
neously. 

Muleskin — a leather of obvious derivation used for heavy work- 
ing gloves and mittens. 
Mullet — the rowel of a spur. 

Mungo — the waste produced in a woolen mill from hardspun or 
felted cloth, and which is used in connection with wool, cotton or 
better grades of waste in the manufacture of backing yarns or 
cheap cloth. Compare Shoddy and Garnetting. 
Murry — reddish purple ; in olden time "a favorit color for the 
garments of respectable elderly gentlemen". 
Mushy — clerks' term for loosely rolled bolts of cloth. 
Musician's uniform — (navy) see Full dress u., Dress u., White u., 
Service u., Fatigue u. Also variants. 



Mus 167 Nan 

Musk — a perfume distilled from a secretion found in a sac in the 
stomach of the m. deer and other animals; the strongest and 
most durable of all perfumes, almost ineradicable when used in 
the pure state, and for which negroes have an extraordinary- 
fondness. Musk forms the basis of many compounded scents. 
Muskrat — a common marsh animal yielding a valuable fur, used 
as an imitation of sealskin and other costly furs ; also used by hat 
manufacturers. 

Muslin — a light, commonly plain-woven cotton cloth of various 
classes and names, as bleacht, unbleacht, twilled, cambric, long- 
cloth, shirting, sheeting, silesia, and a number of others ; used 
for shirts, night robes, etc., and in tailoring as linings and inter- 
linings. 

Mutton chops — sidewhiskers shaped like mutton chops, moder- 
ately trimmed. 



N 



Nacre — (1) mother of pearl; (2) an iridescent effect in silk weav- 
ing. 

Nail — 2*4 inches. 

Nail — an emergency fastening when a suspender button gives 
way. 

Nail clipper — a mechanical device for putting saw edges on one's 
fingernails. 

Nail file — an instrument of toilet torture. 

Nail heads — name for small, rounded, covered buttons used 
decorativly. 

Nainsook — a stout, glossy muslin, striped, barred or plain. 
Naked — in need of clothes (?). 

Name tag — a leather or metal adjunct to traveling luggage, carry- 
ing name and address of the owner for the information of con- 
fidence men. 

Name web — a strip of cotton webbing with name of manufacturer 
or dealer woven therein, as shoe pulls, etc. 

Nankeen — properly a peculiar fabric of a pale, dull orange color, 
woven out of the fibrous tissue which lies between the epidermis 
and the sapwood of a tree or shrub which grows in the East 
Indies and especially in China. The name is derived from the 
imperial city of Nankin or from the tree or shrub which yields 
the tissue. An imitation is made out of cotton and colored with 
aleutta. The genuine nankeen is never more than 18 or 20 inches 
wide, and is used mostly for light summer trousers, riding 
breeches, and children's clothing. 



Nap 1 68 Nav 

Nap — the projecting and inclined fibers of warp and filling thread 
on the surface of flannel, silk-hat material and various cloths, 
forming a soft surface, lying smoothly in one direction, particu- 
larly if of uniform length or texture, but feeling rough or bristly 
if rubbed the wrong way or against the nap. 
Napa — light, tough, goatskin glove leather. 
Nape — the starting point from which the length and the shoulder- 
measures are taken for a coat. A vertebral protuberance located 
in the back central part of the neck at its junction with the thorax 
or trunk. 

Naphtha — an inflammable petroleum distillate used as a cleans- 
ing agent. 

Napier cloth — a once popular, double-face c. for cloaks and wraps, 
one side wool, the other of hair. 

Napoleon leg — a boot-1. with a "wave" top, high in front, receding 
sides and low back. 

Napping machine — an apparatus for producing a nap on cloth, 
etc., particularly the modern form having fine steel wires rotating 
on rollers, to take the place of teasels, thus distingusht from the 
older gigging machine. 
Nappy — having a nap; shaggy. 
Napt — having a nap, of course. (Napped.) 

Narrow — trade term for goods not up to stated width. Compare 
N. goods. 

Narrow-bound — in tailoring, an edge finish obtained by the use 
of a narrow braid applied half-and-half. Compare Medium-b. and 
Broad-b. 

Narrow falls — trade name for front fall trousers in which the 
front flap or fall begins at about the center of each leg and is 
made with a smaller fall-bearer than is required in broadfalls 
(qv). Also called Split f. 

Narrow goods — trade term for fabrics less than 29 inches wide ; 
wider cloths called broad. 

Nasal filter — a device having a screen or double screens of fine 
gauze or bolting cloth intended for wear when motoring, etc., to 
exclude dust. 

Natte — textil term meaning matted or basket-weave, n. fabrics 
usually having small checks, in one or more colors, with the 
effect of being braided. 
Natural — trade term for undyed furs. 
Natural shoulders — not extravagantly padded artificially. 
Nature's garb — proscribed. 

Navajo blanket — a stout, heavy woolen b. primitivly woven by 
the Navajo Indians of Arizona and New Mexico, of fantastic 
color combinations and so closely woven and compacted that the 
texture is absolutely waterproof. 



Nav 169 Nav 

Naval lace — a variety of gold braid used for trimming uniforms. 
Naval officer's cloak — of dark blue cloth, cut three-quarters of a 
circle, of a length reaching to the tips of the fingers, with a roll- 
ing collar and with a frog on the breast. 

Naval officer's mackintosh — of black material reaching to 9 or 
12 inches of the ground, having a rolling collar, no sleeves, and 
a cape reaching to the ends of the fingers; epaulets or shoulder 
knots as per regulation. 

Naval overcoat — for officers: a long double-breasted ulster of 
dark blue cloth, buttoning to the neck with deep rolling ulster 
collar, 7 plain flat black buttons on each front, a deep vertical 
pocket in each breast, a belt extending from each side seam, but- 
toning across the back (which is cut quite full), a deep vent in 
the back and another over the left hip for the sword; a detach- 
able hood, buttoning around the neck, for cold weather wear; 
shoulder and sleeve marks as prescribed by regulations ; for chief 
petty officers, except bandmaster: a double-breasted ulster of 
dark blue cloth, reaching to the knees, lined with dark blue flan- 
nel, buttoning to the neck with deep, rolling collar, 5 large black 
buttons on each side, 2 vertical breast pockets and 2 lower hori- 
zontal pockets with flaps; for all other enlisted men, except 
bandsmen : the same, but of a length reaching to the tips of the 
fingers; for bandsmen: of similar model, but of sky-blue kersey, 
reaching to 6 or 8 inches below the knee, with a 16 in. back (cen- 
ter) vent, 2 rows of 7 gilt buttons, rolling collar, to which a cir- 
cular cape, lined with scarlet flannel, is attacht on specified oc- 
casions. 

Naval overshirt — a shirt worn by all enlisted men, except chief 
petty officers, officers' stewards, officers' cooks and bandsmen; 
made of dark blue flannel, loose in the body, gathered at the 
waist, having a collar 9 to 10 inches deep and 14 to 18 inches wide 
beginning at the opening in the neck (which is 7 inches deep), 
full sleeves terminating in fitting wristcuffs, a small pocket in 
the left breast; collar and cuffs trimmed with white tape and 
with sleeve insignia all as prescribed for the several ratings. 
Naval trousers — for all enlisted men, excepting chief petty offi- 
cers and bandsmen: (1) of dark blue cloth fitting snugly over 
the hip and down the thigh to 2 inches above the knee, from 
which point downward cut bell-shaped and full enough to be 
pulled up over the thigh; one seam on each leg on the inside; 
made with a laced back and front-falls; 2 pockets in waistband 
above the flap, no hip pocket ; (2) of bleacht cotton drill for dress 
and unbleacht for undress, made with a fly front and top pockets, 
otherwise as described for blue trousers. 

Naval uniforms — for officers, are specially designated (1) special 
full dress, (2) full dress, (3) dress, (4) undress A, (5) undress 
B, (6) service dress, (7) evening dress A, (8) evening dress B, 



Nav 170 Nee 

(9) mess dress, (10) uniform A, (11) uniform B, (12) uniform 
C; for enlisted men, are designated (1) blue dress, (2) blue un- 
dress, (3) white dress, (4) white undress, (5) blue working 
dress, (6) white working dress, all of which see. 
Navy twills — a heavy all-wool shirting flannel, twill woven, usu- 
ally dyed navy-blue. 

Near edge — in drafting, that edge of the pattern nearest the de- 
signer. (Tailoring term.) 
Near-seal — not very near at that. 

Near-silk — a mercerized cotton lining fabric having a slight 
glaze and high luster, with or without a twill or artificially im- 
parted moire. 

Neat — tasteful, not tawdry, clean. 
Neat — see Wool. 

Neats-foot oil — an o. obtained from the feet of cattle and es- 
teemed good for keeping shoes in condition. 
Neck — the stem made by the thread when sewing on buttons; 
as "the neck is too short" when too tight, or "the neck is too 
long" when too loose or drooping. (Tailoring term.) 
Neck hole — tailoring term, applied to garments ready for try-on, 
meaning the opening to which the collar is not yet sewed on. 
Neck lock — see Wig. 

Neck point — the socket bone; a term in tailor's measurements, 
indicating where the collar is to be adjusted to the garment. 
Neck stock — see Stock. 

Neckband — that part of a shirt which by going often to the 
laundry acquires a hardness, serration and temper prejudicial to 
the comfort, peace and happiness of the wearer. 
Neckcloth — a cravat, scarf or other neckdressing. 
Neckerchief — a square or oblong piece of silk, linen or cotton, of 
suitable pattern, worn as a neckcovering, principally with outing 
attire. 

Necktie — correctly, a long, narrow tie fastened in a bow in front. 
Necktie silks — see Cravating. 

Necktie sociable — a vigilance committee's soiree. 
Neckwear — trade term for neckdressings of all sorts, particularly 
cravats, stocks, ties, etc. 

Needle — a small, slender pointed steel instrument with an eye 
for carrying thread thru fabrics in sewing; of various kinds, 
known among tailors as silk-n., thread-n., button-n., basting-n., 
etc., and these again are known as sharps, blunts, betweens, etc. 
Needle-board — a perforated board used to guide the needles in 
a Jacquard loom. 

Needle toe — an extremely sharp pointed once fashionable ( ?) in 
shoes. 
Needleman — a man who sews ; a tailor, furrier, etc. 



Neg 171 Nim 

Neglige — easy and informal dress. 

Neglige shirt — a s. with plain or plaited front, but not with a 
built-up bosom ; usually of fancy materials and most worn in the 
summer time. 

Negro cloth — a cheap, coarse homespun cloth (of tow?), of 
colonial days, worn by farm laborers. 
Netherstocks — stockings. 

Nettle-cloth — a varnisht thick cotton cloth used for belts, cap 
visors, etc., as a substitute for leather. 
Nettle fiber — see Ramie. 

New-fangled — anything which people may not yet be used to. 
New mown hay — a perfume imaginativly supposed to resemble 
the odor of fresh cut hay. 

New York surtout — a fashionable frock overcoat of 1851, having 
very short skirts cut straight off (horizontally) and with a 
prodigious collar rolling down to the waistline, liberally trimmed 
with wide fancy braid. 

Newmarket — general term for the long, double-breasted frock 
overcoat (from Newmarket, Eng., a town celebrated for its rac- 
ing meets), originally worn when driving or riding; a surtout. 
N. G. — slang for "no good". 
Nid d'abeille — bee hive effects in weaving. 
Nifty — excellence of style and appearance ; up to the mark. 
Niggerhead — a cloth with rough knotted or curly surface, re- 
sembling boucle and Astrakhan. See also Petersham. 
Night cap — a sort of bonnet, of light material, for sleeping in — 
also something to help you sleep without one. 
Night drawers — sleeping garments, made usually with legs and 
feet, commonly worn by children. 

Night gown — in colonial days an undress garment worn at home, 
but not for sleeping ; often quite elaborate ; a dressing g. or 
jacket; sometimes worn away from home, as at the office. 
Night rail — name given in colonial times to what is our present- 
day night robe. 
Night robe — see N. shirt. 

Night shirt — a long, loose gown for sleeping purposes. 
Night slip — an infant's night dress. 

Night stick — a hardwood club used by policemen in riot work, 
but more noticeably for rapping on the corner pavement at night 
to keep the neighborhood from too profound slumber. 
Nightie — sleeping wear. 

Nightingale — a peculiar, open-sleeved bed jacket, named after 
the famous nurse of the Crimean war. 

Nimbus — the disk or halo which "the old man" thinks encircles 
his head refulgently. 



Nit 172 Nun 

Nitch — see Notch. 

No collar — self-explanatory; tailoring term used mostly in con- 
nection with waistcoat. 

No dress — no allowance to be made ; small. See Dress. 
Noils — knots and short bits of wool taken from the long staple 
in combing; waste silk. 

Noose — a sort of necktie of no great popularity. 
Norfolk jacket — a sack coat or j., straight front and single- 
breasted, with or without a yoke, having box plaits down the 
fronts and back and a belt of same material; the adjustment and 
style of yoke, plaits, pockets, etc., varies with season, taste of 
wearer and maker ; most worn for hunting and for outdoor sports. 
Normal — hosiery and underwear term for natural undyed wool 
and garments thereof. 
Normal — (clothing term.) See Regular. 

Norwegian sock — a heavy knit wool stocking similar to golf hose ; 
used by hunters, lumbermen, explorers, et al. 
Nose guard — a solid rubber face disfigurer that must be chewed. 
(Football.) 

Nose mask — same as N. guard. 
Nose putty — an article of theatrical makeup. 
Nosegay — a small bunch of fragrant flowers; broadly, a bouton- 
niere. 

Not balanced — said of a coat that does not hang or drape well ; 
out of balance ; shifted. 

Not ready — a phrase that has lost tailors more customers than 
readymaders ever gained otherwise. 

Notch — in garment making, a V or nick cut into the edge of the 
cut cloth, showing where it is to be joined to another piece with 
a corresponding notch. 

Notch — (tailoring term.) See Step; also see below. 
Notcht collar — the typical c. of all single-breasted sack coats 
and waistcoats. In body coats and overcoats the collar is sepa- 
rate from the lapel to which it is joined in such a manner as to 
leave a notch or "step" ; in waistcoats a notcht c. is usually of 
one piece on each side without seam, but with a V notch cut 
therein. (Notched c.) 

Nouveau riche — one who has recently become rich and who pro- 
ceeds to show off, first of all by adopting flashier and costlier 
clothes than could previously be afforded. 

Novelties — the transient styles of a season ; fancies, not staple ; 
the basis of all reduction sales or clearing sales. 
Nuage — French for clouded effects (in weaving). 
Nullifier — a name sometimes given to a sort of slipper better 
known as Romeo (qv). 
Nun's cloth — see below. 



Nun 173 Oil 

Nun's veiling — a thin, semi-transparent, plain-woven, woolen 
fabric, used for mourning bands, office coats, etc. ; a complete 
suit for a man would average say 32 ounces in weight. 
Nursery cloth — general name for thick, heavy cotton cloth or 
blanketing, used singly or two-ply in a desperate effort to save 
bedding from our infant ravages ; most commonly a sort of very 
coarse, heavy, double-faced Canton flannel, or two sheets of 
muslin slightly wadded and quilted, tho there are several other 
varieties. 

Nutria — the fur of the Brazilian otter, largely used in hat manu- 
facture and for fur garments. 



o 



Oak tanned — term for leather tanned with oak bark. 
Ocean pearl — trade term distinguishing oyster p. (and articles 
thereof) from fresh water or mussel and clam shell p. from inland 
waters. 

Odd Fellow's coat — same as Masonic Sir Knight's c, but with 9 
buttons instead of 11. 

Off color — trade term for goods not comparing with the standard 
of color by which bought. Compare Cloudy and Shaded. 
Office — where the pay envelope comes from ; otherwise useless 
to the average employe. 

Office coat — usually an alpaca sack c, unlined, broadly, any old 
c. not fit to be seen on the street, but good enough to wipe 
pens on. 

Office towel — an indurated, inelastic piece of textil fabric of dark 
color, used for toilet purposes. 

Officer's facings — (army) color for general officers, staff and de- 
partment officers, dark blue; for officers of engineers, scarlet 
piped with white; signal corps, orange piped with white; ord- 
nance, black piped with scarlet; medical corps, maroon; quar- 
termaster's department, buff; cavalry, yellow; artillery, scarlet; 
infantry, light blue. 

Oil-boiled — trade term for colors so treated as to ensure perma- 
nence. 

Oil frock — a waterproof slicker-coat worn by miners, fishermen, 
etc. 

Oil grain — same as stuft leather. 

Oil test — (linen vs. cotton) ; a sample of cloth is boiled in water 
or alkali solution to remove the finishing matter, then laid on a 



Oil 174 Oj£ 

glass plate and saturated with a heavy oil. A smaller glass plate 
is then placed over the sample to protect it from the air. After 
removing the surplus oil from the edges, the sample is examined 
with the light falling on it, and then with the light passing thru 
it. The linen fiber, owing to its thick cells with their greater re- 
sistance to light, appears transparent and resembles a slop of 
grease on paper. When the light passes thru it, it appears 
bright ; and when the light falls upon it, it is dark. The reverse is 
the case with cotton. The air in the interior of the cotton fiber, 
as well as between the fibers themselves, is not displaced by the 
oil, and makes the cotton appear opaque ; consequently when the 
light falls on the fiber it is bright, and when the light passes thru 
it it is dark. 

Oilcloth — a painted and varnisht cotton fabric, largely employed, 
among other uses, for cap visors, belt linings, etc. 
Oiled silk — a thin, plain-woven silk fabric impregnated with 
boiled oil and dried, becoming translucent and waterproof, used 
for perspiration guards, money belts, etc. 
Oilers — vernacular for oilskins (qv). 

Oilskin — a heavy, cotton cloth impregnated with oil and gum 
to render it waterproof ; used for sailor's coats, slickers, etc. ; the 
name is also applied to such garments. 
Oilskins — "slickers" (qv). Also see above. 
O. K. — all right; all correct. The most popular idea of the 
derivation is that told of General Jackson, better known in 
American history as Old Hickory, who was not much at home 
in the art of spelling, and that he employed the letters O. K. as 
an endorsement of applications for office and other papers, in- 
tending them to stand for "all (orl) correct (korrect)". 
Ol clo's man — a stoop-shouldered individual in a long frock coat, 
low billycock hat, wearing luxuriant whiskers and unclean fin- 
gernails. 

Old beau — a fastidious old fellow of the "old school", fond of 
women's society. 
Old fashioned — not of today. 
Old gold — a dull, brassy, yellow color. 

Old man — the head of the house who raises or reduces salaries, 
but who otherwise is not generally reckoned as having any 
special value to the business. 

Old-man's frock — a one-button cutaway f. coat, cut rather full in 
front. 

Old silver — s. made to appear old by chemical treatment. 
Old thirds — an obsolete English system of tailor's measure- 
ments, invented by a German tailor in the early part of the 19th 
century. 



OH 175 Ope 

Olive — a barrel-shaped fastening device used in connection with 
loops ; a portion of a frog (qv) ; usually mohair or silk covered ; 
worn principally on uniform overcoats. 

Olivauto cloth — proprietary name for a clear finisht worsted, 14 
oz. cloth, made especially with reference to the needs of motor- 
ists; is dust proof and waterproof and of a brownish olive-drab 
shade. 

Ombre — weaving term for blended stripes, shading off or into 
one another, effected by adjustment of warp and filling threads ; 
usually applied to silks. 

Omophorion — a sort of broad pallium (qv) worn by the Greek 
and Russian ministry. 
On one's uppers — shabby genteel. 

Once-over — see Ascot, Puff, Waterfall, etc. ; a method of tying 
same. 

One-button cutaway — see Fat-man's frock. 
One-button sack — see Fat-man's s. 

One-way plait — prest flat from either side of the stitching; the 
reverse of box p. 

Ongrowing collar — tailors' term for waistcoat collars that are con- 
tinued around the neck like coat collars instead of being sewed 
down at the shoulder and continuing merely as a band around 
the back of the neck. O. collars, therefore, are formed of the 
facing and forepart and top and under-collar parts and may have 
any kind of peakt or notcht lapel or rever, but are seldom made 
with the no-seam notch characteristic of ordinary single-breasted 
waistcoat collars. 

O O — "own order" ; in tailoring, a memorandum made by cutters 
who dislike a customer's insistence upon certain details. 
Ooze — suede leather. 

Open-face vest — vernacular for evening dress waistcoat. 
Open fly — not closed or boxt. See Fly. 

Open-front — a term usually applied to shirt bosoms made in two 
parts and joined by buttons or studs. 

Open front fold — trade term for folded shirt collars where the 
standing band is cut away in V shape and the fold rather more 
so. 

Open lap seam — same as Open welt s. 

Open shop — the opposit of closed s. (qv) ; a s., factory or other 
establishment where workmen may be employed regardless of 
union or other affiliations. 

Open trousers — tailors' term for t. made for customers who 
stand with their legs spread apart or open, the inseam being 
longer than is required for closed t, which see. 
Open welt seam — in tailoring, a s. resembling a plait. The two 
parts of the material are first sewed regularly, after which one 



Ope 176 Ort 

part, which has been cut wider for the purpose, is basted over to 
the required size of the welt and sewed at the place of the first 
seam. Properly used as a finish for the side seams of trousers. 
See Welt s. 

Open-work — trade term for drop stitch ribs or lace work designs 
in hosiery, etc. 

Opening — tailoring term for the amount of space at throat not 
covered by a coat or vest, allowing display of (more or less) 
clean linen, betraying one's taste in neckwear and jewelry, and, 
according to area, inviting bronchitis or bellyache. Compare 
Gorge. 

Opening — the first step in the process of carding cotton; sepa- 
rating the matted fibers and removing foreign objects. 
Opening machine — see Willowing m. 

Opera cloak — a cape-like overgarment extending to the knees, 
having a narrow standing collar, and closed with cord and tas- 
sels, worn about 1850 over evening dress; also the Inverness 
overcoat (qv) is sometimes so called. 

Opera glass — a binocular telescope of small size for magnifying 
the field of view for distant spectators; also the characteristic 
equipment of baldheaded front row first nighters. 
Operator — trade term for machine workmen employed in cloth- 
ing factories in contradistinction to journeymen tailors who do 
work by hand. 

Operette — proprietary term for an evening dress overcoat, but- 
toning high at the throat, lined with white silk or satin in front 
and there combining some of the features of a muffler or dress- 
shirt protector. 

Opoponax — a perfume compounded from a gum resin obtained 
from a species of (Persian) parsnip, or in imitation thereof. 
Orarian — a sort of stole worn by ministers of the Greek and 
Russian churches. 
Orarium — same as Stole (qv). 

Orby — a single-breasted walking frock coat made without a 
waist seam, the fore and back parts being entire ; the back made 
without the usual side-body parts, and having but a center seam 
terminating in a plain open vent at the waist. (1907.) 
Ordinary — see Cotton classification. 

Organzine — (1) warp silk made of two singles (qv) twisted to- 
gether ; thrown silk ; (2) a fabric made of such silk. 
Orris root — good thing for the linen chest, imparting to the con- 
tents thereof a delicate violet-like fragrance. 
Orthopedic — name applied to a particular shape of last, gener- 
ally broad-toed, in outline as near as possible to that of the 
natural foot. 



Osn 177 Out 

Osnaburg — (1) coarse cotton shirtings, both plain colored and in 
small two-color checks, only slightly finisht after weaving, most- 
ly produced in the southern states ; (2) originally a coarse variety 
of linen cloth imported from Osnabruck, Prussia (whence name) ; 
used in colonial days for shirts, breeches, jackets, etc. 
Ostrich feathers — in men's wear used for uniform hats, regalia, 
etc. 

Otter — an amphibious animal of various species, yielding a pelt 
valuable in the manufacture of fur garments; very like seal in 
texture. 

Ottoman — a stout, lustrous silk fabric, of heavier cord than 
faille. 

Ounce — in the trade the thickness or heaviness of cloths are 
designated by the number of ounces in one yard, as 10 oz., 16 
oz., 24 oz., etc. 

Out-breast — tailor's abbreviation for outside breast pocket, 
Out breast pocket — see Outside b. p. 

Outside breast pocket — trade term for the regular b. p. of coats 
and overcoats, customarily placed on the left side only, and so 
designated to distinguish from inside b. p. 
Outer leaf — see Leaf. 
Out of date — old fashioned ; old fogeyish. 
Out seam — see Prix s. 

Outer garments — broadly, any and all garments except those 
worn next the skin; more correctly a suit of clothes, overcoats, 
capes, and the like. 

Outer sole — the s. leather in the bottom of shoe coming next to 
the ground. 

Outre — not conforming to conventional usage or fashion ; bizarre ; 
extravagant; showy; freakish. 

Outing cloth — a cotton fabric of various uses, woven similarly 
to gingham, but of softer, coarser yarns and well napt on both 
sides; also called o. flannel, tennis flannel, flannelette, domett, 
guinea cloth, etc. 
Outing flannel — see O. cloth. 
Outing shoe — a canvas s. for summer wear. 
Outing suit — a light-weight summer or vacation suit, usually of 
flannel. 

Outlet — in tailoring, an allowance made in cutting up cloth (not 
shown on the paper pattern), for seams, vents, the try-on fitting, 
alterations, etc. 

Outside back — tailoring term for the back or outer lining of the 
back part of a vest. 

Outside flap — a sewed-on f. outside of and over the pocket. Com- 
pare In-and-out f. 



Out 178 Own 

Outside shop — in clothes making a shop, usually not on the man- 
ufacturer's premises but away or "outside", where the help is 
hired by the contractor, who is practically owner of the shop, 
altho he may contract to do no work for any but the one con- 
cern. See Inside s. 

Ovalesque — proprietary name for a dress shirt bosom of unusu- 
ally large proportion and of oval shape, claimed not to bulge or 
break when worn. 

Over-erect — so straight (sic) as to incline backward. 
Over-shirt — an outer or top s. ; a working s. 
Over-shoulder measure — in tailoring, a measure taken from front 
of arm-scye over the shoulder to center of back at the scye 
depth (qv). 

Over-sleeve — a loose-fitting, separate s. of almost any material, 
worn by bookkeepers, clerks, et al, to protect shirt or coat sleeves. 
Overalls — loose-fitting over-trousers of duck, denim, etc., for 
working wear. 

Overcasting — see Serging and Whipstitch. 

Overcheck — a term in weaving for patterns showing one check 
of different form or color superimposed upon another. 
Overcoat — a coat worn over one's other coat ; a top coat ; a great- 
coat. 

Overcoating — any fabric woven specially for overcoats, as covert, 
kersey, melton, frieze, montagnac, elysian, beaver, vicuna, whip- 
cord, cheviot, chinchilla, Shetland, etc., (qv). 
Overedge stitch — an overcasting or selvaging s. performed by 
machine. 

Overcoats — (army) see Army officer's o. ; (navy), see Naval 
officer's o. and Naval o. ; (revenue service) see Revenue service 
o. ; (marine corps) see Marine corps o. 

Overgaiter — a close-fitting covering for ankle and leg, spreading 
out and embracing the instep, usually of cloth or leather; also 
called spatterdash and spats. 
Overgarment — any outer garment or wrap. 

Overplaid — a term in weaving indicating a light plaid over a 
heavier and smaller underplaid or check, or vice versa ; an effect 
of color disposition. 

Oversack — a large, loosely fitting overcoat of the sack or box 
variety; an ulster (qv). 
Overseam — see Round s. 

Overshoe — a shoe worn over other shoes, usually of rubber, of 
various shapes and styles. See also Arctics. 
Overworked edges — tailoring term for edges held in too much 
and forced by the stay tape. 

Own goods — cloth brought to a tailor, shirtmaker, etc., to be 
made up. 



Oxf 179 Pad 

Oxford — see O. mixture, O. shirting, etc. 

Oxford bag — an article of hand luggage of considerable capacity, 
usually with a rounding or sloping top. 
Oxford cap — see Mortarboard. 

Oxford mixture — in woolen cloth weaving an effect produced by 
combining two threads of black and white or gray into one yarn 
in the spinning process, or by blending two shades of raw wool 
in the carding process, the finisht effect being a cloth of black or 
dark steel ground, lightly sprinkled or mixt with white. In the 
lighter shadings frequently called "Cambridge mixture". 
Oxford shirting — a soft, plain-woven cotton fabric having loom- 
produced checks, stripes, or figures. 

Oxford tie — a low shoe, laced and tied at the instep, and by ex- 
tension any low shoe, as "buttoned oxfords". 



P 



Pack basket — a b. of splints or rattan covered with canvas, with 
shoulder straps ; used by hunters, prospectors, et al. 
Pack cloth — a rectangular length of waterproof canvas useful to 
campers, hunters, et al. 

Pack harness — an arrangement of leather straps for converting 
hunters, prospectors, et al., into beasts of burden. 
Pad — in tailoring a flat, compact cushion or mattress-shaped im- 
plement laid upon the lap-board or any other pressing-board and 
used in "pressing-off" and giving form and finish to a garment 
Its elasticity accommodates it to any inequalities of the garment 
and therefore the whole surface is reacht by the pressure of the 
iron and made smoother and solider than it could be without its 
use. See Looney. 
Pad — see Hat p. 

Pad — (1) to stuff or build up a garment with wadding; (2) to 
apparently increase one's proportions. 
Padded — given a false physique. 

Padded dress — an obscene way of emphasizing the d. of trousers 
once current among certain Michigan college boys. 
Paddies — pantalets. 

Padding — felt, cotton or wool used for giving shape to garments ; 
wadding. 

Padding stitches — (tailoring) similar in appearance to zigzag or 
herringbone basting s. ; in making, the needle may or may not go 
entirely thru one of the pieces of goods, according to the nature 



Pad 1 80 Pan 

of the work in hand ; also the s. may be held togther in close rows 
or loosely spaced ; properly made, these s. aid much in shaping 
of garments. 

Paddock — according to the best authorities this is a single- 
breasted frock overcoat with sewed-on skirts, tho this form is 
more popularly known as the "Paletot" (qv), while the "Pad- 
dock" is usually shown as a coat with skirted back and one-piece 
front with a waistline cut partly into same, from which underarm 
V's extend and give shapeliness. The two terms are used inter- 
changeably by most American tailors' journals. 
Padisway — an old name for peau de soie. 

Page's livery — short, tight-fitting jacket with one or three rows 
of buttons, closing at the throat with military collar; trousers 
without side or back pockets (tho two large watch or waistband 
pockets are permissible), corded or piped at side seams to match 
trimming, if any, of coat. 

Paisley — a town in Scotland famous for its textil manufactures 
and especially for a fine class of shawls resembling the finest 
India shawls ; also a name given to the distinctiv "palm" or figure 
of such shawls. 

Pajamarite — proprietary name for a combination sleeping gar- 
ment resembling pajamas but made in one piece, with certain 
features of the union suit (undergarment) embodied. 
Pajamas — loose cotton or silk sleeping drawers or trousers, fast- 
ened around the waist with a draw-string ; by extension the term 
now includes the loose coat or blouse sold with the foregoing. In 
the East Indies p. are worn by both sexes, both as sleeping and 
lounging wear. 

Paletot — popularly a single-breasted frock overcoat with skirts 
sewed on at the waistline, but according to the best authorities a 
coat with a skirted back and a one-piece front into which a waist- 
line is partly cut, extending therefrom being one or two under- 
arm V's. Compare "Paddock". 
Pall — a large square of cloth thrown over a coffin. 
Pall-bearers — friends complaisantly wearing crepe for a few 
hours prior to finally dumping us into the dirt. 
Pallium — an ecclesiastical vestment of the Roman Catholic 
church worn by the pope, patriarchs and archbishops ; it is a band 
of white woolen webbing, about 3 inches wide, embroidered with 
black crosses worn around the neck, and from which two narrow 
bands of same material depend, one falling on the breast and the 
other over the back. 

Palm — that part of a glove covering the inside of the hand. 
Panache — variegated. 

Panama hat — a h. made from the young, unexpanded leaves of 
the stemless screwpine (also called jiji japa) specially treated to 



Pan 181 Par 

remove the soft part of the leaf, soaked in water until pliable, the 
hats then being woven by hand in exceedingly moist atmosphere, 
the very finest h. often requiring six months to weave. 
Pancake — the flat cap worn by tars in the grandoldamerican navy. 
Pancake heel — a h. of imitation sole leather composed of leather 
scivings and cement prest to look like sides of sole leather, called 
"pancake". 

Paneled back — tailoring term for the inside back of a coat made 
with broad facings of the coat material around seams and edges, 
and filled in with (panels of) silk or other lining. 
Panjam — see Punjum. 
Pantalet — a child's underdrawer. 

Pantaloon trousers — the same upward as pantaloons but cut 
straight to the instep from the calf downward ; substantially the 
same as our modern trousers (qv) ; when finisht with loops or 
buttons at the side (bottom) they were called Wellingtons, 
doubtless from having been first worn by the military. (Early 
1900.) 

Pantaloonery — a little used trade term for fabrics of which pants 
or trousers are made. The proper term is "trouserings". 
Pantaloons — close fitting nethergarments reaching midway be- 
tween the calf and the ankle, with an opening therein closing 
with buttons, worn with gaiters, boots or over the stockings only, 
during the early part of the last century. 

Panties — familiar term for (1) children's knee pants; (2) chil- 
dren's drawers ; and more loosely or jocularly (3) men's ditto. 
Panting — cloth suitable for trousers. See Trousering. 
Pantorium — coined name for pressing and cleaning institutions 
where it is pretended to care for your clothes, usually at a rate 
per month. 

Pants — "gent's" trousers. 
Pants block — see Tailor's b. 

Pants maker — a journeyman tailor who makes trousers his 
specialty. 

Paper cloth — see Xylolin and Wood yarn. 

Paper collar — a shirt c. made of paper stamped into a resem- 
blance of linen, formerly used in enormous quantities (the con- 
sumption prior to 1883 being estimated at 70,000,000 annually), 
but now comparativly unknown. 

Paper garments — a recent invention. The idea contains the germ 
of untold possibilities. 
Paper sole — derisiv of thin-soled shoes. 

Paper yarn — a textil y. made of wood cellulose and more properly 
known as wood y. (qv). See Xylolin. 

Para rubber — wild r. from Brazil and Bolivia; the finest com- 
mercial grade. 



Pap 182 Pat 

Pappoose frame — an Indian baby cradle and perambulator. 
Paragon frame — the metal ribs of an umbrella; a proprietary 
name for ribs of U shape. 

Paring-off — in tailoring the process of paring- or trimming-off 
the surplus cloth along the margin of a garment, when the edges 
are to be finisht raw. 

Paring-shears — tailor's s. or scissors made expressly for paring 
the edges of garments. 

Park coat — a sort of cutaway frock c, worn for riding exclusively, 
fitting snugly at waist and having extra ample skirts. 
Partridge — a hard, variously markt, striated wood used for 
walking sticks. 

Partridge cord — a name sometimes given to mottled corduroy 
resembling in effect the markings of the partridge. 
Paspol — in tailoring, a cloth-bound edge or piping employed as a 
finish to pockets. 

Passe — faded ; old-fashioned ; worn out ; behind the times. 
Paste — formerly used to stiffen coats, but not nowadays. 
Patch — (1) any ornamental bits of court plaster used on the face 
as adjuncts to beauty; (2) a mended place in our clothes with 
reminiscences of our youth or as a badge of indigence. 
Patch flap — a pocket f. laid-on outside. 

Patch pocket — a p. made of the goods of the garment and 
patcht or sewed on to the outside thereof, no cutting thru and 
no lining being required. Also called patcht p. See also Bel- 
lows p. 

Patchouli — a strong, peculiar oriental perfume, as offensiv to 
some as it is pleasing to others; once of considerable popularity 
amongst ladies of definit reputation (which reputation still clings 
to it), which may account for its masculin popularity. 
Patcht welt pocket — a p., the slit or opening of which is cut thru 
a patcht-on piece of the garment material, which may be of 
fancy shape, generally so made for extra strength, as in conduc- 
tors' coats. (Patched p.) 

Patent beaver — a superior quality of beaver cloth with an espe- 
cially hard finish and fulled to a degree making it practically wa- 
terproof; similar to Castor b. (qv). 

Patent leather — name synonymously applied to all so-called 
"shiny" leather; that is, upper leathers that have been treated 
with a coat of japanning or varnish on one side, giving the leather 
a very glossy, black, smooth finish. 

Patent neckband — general name for shirt n. having a split or 
pocketed division in the back so that the back collar-button does 
not touch the skin of the wearer because of an interposing layer 
of cloth. 
Patrolmen's uniform — see Police u. 



Pat 183 Pel 

Patten — a thick-soled overshoe, or one having a device for raising 
the foot out of the wet and mud ; a clog ; a sort of slipper. Term 
now in disuse. See Overshoe. 

Pattern paper — rough-surfaced drafting p. put up in rolls, used 
by cutters ; usually black, dark green or blue ; also manilla. 
Pauldron — a detachable piece of plate armor for the protection of 
the shoulders. 

Pavilion — the lower pyramid of a diamond. See Brilliant cutting. 
Pea coat — a seaman's jacket. See P. jacket. 
Pea jacket — a short, heavy coat of thick, closely-woven cloth, as 
pilot cloth, worn in rough weather; a sailor's j. 
Peacockery — ostentatious display of fine clothes; affectation in 
attire and manner ; distressing vanity. 
Peak — visor. 

Peakt lapel — having the notch or step cut at an acute angle. 
Pearl — the beautiful concretion found in the interior of the shells 
of many mollusks, resulting in the deposit of nacreous substances 
around some nucleus usually of foreign origin; the p. oyster of 
the Indian seas yields the most numerous and finest specimens. 
Peascod bellied — referring to stuft doublets. 
Peau de sole — a heavy, close-woven, soft-finisht, plain-colored 
silk fabric having minute weft-wise ribs, the better grades finisht 
alike on both sides, the cheaper face-finisht only. 
Peau d'espagne — a perfume having the characteristics of the 
scent of Spanish leather, whence name. 

Pebble goat — a shoe leather having a surface grain achieved by 
means of machinery. 

Peddler — a peripatetic merchant; a street hawker. 
Pedometer — a good thing to prove walking lies by. 
Peeler — general term for long-stapled cotton grown in the Mis- 
sissippi valley. 

Peepiehole — the little opening in front of a boy's first pants. 
Peg leg — wooden. 

Peg-top — trousers cut wide and full around the hips and narrow- 
ing sharply down to the ankle. 

Pegging jack — a clamp for holding a shoe while it is being 
pegged. 

Pegging machine — a m. for nailing (or pegging) soles to the 
uppers (of shoes). 

Pekin — textil designing term for warp-wise alternating stripes of 
different colors. 

Pelage — the coat or covering of a fur mammal. 
Pelerine — a long, narrow cape (now in disuse). 



Pel 184 Per 

Pelisse — (1) a long outergarment or cloak with openings for the 
arms, originally of fur or lined with fur; (2) a dragoon's jacket 
with shaggy lining. 
Pelt — a skin or hide. 
Peltry — same thing. 
Pen clothes — see Prison uniform. 

Pen-knife — originally a pocket k. intended for the making of quill- 
pens. 

Penang lawyer — a cane with a very large round head, common in 
Penang and on the Malay peninsula. 

Pencil curl — hatter's term for a brim the edge of which is turned 
over upon itself, forming a cable-like edge of about the thickness 
of a pencil. 

Pencil pocket — a small, narrow p. for pencil, fountain pen, etc.; 
usually a partition of one of the regular breast pockets of a waist- 
coat. 

Pencil stripe — in weaving, fine stripes of color on a contrasting 
ground; a hairline or slightly coarser. 
Peplum — loosely, a short skirt to a jacket. 

Pepper-and-salt — a textil color effect, as of a dark or light ground, 
sprinkled or dotted with light or dark specks, properly achieved 
by two-color twisted yarns, usually in combinations of black and 
white. 

Pepperell — a slightly twilled muslin. 
Per cent — the fetich of Israel. 

Percale — a fine, close, plain-woven cotton fabric, similar to cam- 
bric, woven of smooth, round yarns, carefully drest without 
gloss and usually printed in shirting patterns, tho also solid white 
and also in printed stripes for garment lining, the fabric being 
slightly sized in this case ; the lower grades not much better than 
calico. 

Percaline — a fine, light-weight cotton lining material. 
Perching — the process of inspecting woolen fabrics as taken from 
the loom and removing knots, burs, and other imperfections pre- 
paratory to fulling ; holes, if any, being first darned. 
Perching — a process in leather manufacture following that of 
knee staking, the skins being held in a long vise, the operator ad- 
justing the crutch of a long circular knife against his armpit and 
pressing hard against the flesh side of the skin to remove the last 
vestige of flesh. 

Perfect fit — something you might be ashamed to be seen in. 
Perfumery — formerly used to disguise the odors of the unbathed 
body — and still so used, of course. 
Periwig — a formal wig; not such a bundle of vanity as a peruke. 



Per 185 Pic 

Perrin's — trade diminutiv for the fine French kid gloves manu- 
factured by Perrin Freres (lately changed to Perrin et Cie), Paris, 
of world-wide fame. 

Persian lamb — the fur of the young black Persian sheep of South- 
ern Persia, further enhanced in luster by dyeing ; one of the most 
valuable and best wearing furs. Compare Astrakhan and Broad- 
tail. 

Perspectiv glass — Briticism for field g. 
Peruke — a voluminous and prolix wig. 
Perruquier — wig maker ; barber ; hair dresser. 
Peter — slang for watch, especially a repeating watch, as a jeweler 
might say to a customer comparing time, "How's your peter?" 
Peter pan — a boy's blouse or shirt ; a vogue of the Buster Brown 
and Fauntleroy virulence. 

Petersham — a kind of heavy woolen cloth for overcoats. It has a 
rough, knotty surface, and is sometimes called "nigger-head". A 
very heavy, close-felted variety of this cloth is called "cording- 
ton"; the finer, softer kinds, "chinchilla" (qv). 
Petticoat — originally an undercoat or waistcoat as worn (1400- 
1600) under the longer outer coat. 

Petticoat breeches — wide, flaring knee b. of colonial sailors. 
Petticoat trousers — a kind of kilt formerly worn by seamen in 
general but latterly principally by fishermen. See Galligaskins. 
Phelonion — a white or reddish vestment similar to the Latin 
chasuble (qv) but reaching only to the waist, worn by lectors and 
readers in the Greek and Russian churches. 

Photograph case — usually a leather, folding, screen-like affair for 
holding portraits of actresses. 

Phylactery — a strip or strips of cowhide parchment inscribed 
with passages of Scripture and encased in a black calfskin case 
having thongs for binding it on the forehead or around the left 
arm in memory of the early history of the Jewish race and of 
one's duty to observe the law, or, also, to serve as an amulet. 
Picayune — a Spanish coin worth 6% cents, current during Civil 
war times ; later applied to the 5-cent piece. 

Piccadilly — a fashionable residence street in London, whence 
many names for articles of masculin attire. 

Piccadilly collar — a standing shirt c. with points sharply turned 
back forming triangles or wings; also called "white wings" and 
wing c. 

Piccadilly toe — a name once given to a sharp-pointed t. — but 
which, like most shoe names, is now almost forgotten. 
Pick — (1) the insertion of a thread of weft; (2) the blow which 
drives the shuttle thru the warp threads ; (3) the speed per min- 
ute of a loom ; (4) the number of threads countable within a 
definit space. 



Pic 1 86 Pin 

Picker — a machine for opening, cleaning and mixing cotton or 
wool. 

Pickle — see Tan liquor. 
Picklock — see Wool. 

Picot — an ornamental loopt edging on ribbons, etc. 
Piece dye — trade term for cloths dyed after weaving or in the 
piece, as serges, clays, broadcloths, unfinisht, etc. Compare Skein 
dyes. 

Piece goods — woolens and other textil fabrics sold by the bolt or 
piece. 

Piece goods trade — the jobbing trade. Compare Cutting-up trade 
and Selling agent. 

Piecing-out — in tailoring the act of sewing together added or 
spliced pieces which are sometimes necessary in facing garments, 
or in making the crotch or back-waist part of trousers, is called 
"piecing them out" ; also "dog-rabbitting". 

Piffle — (i) the customer's expressions of his needs and desires; 
(2) the salesman's arguments in favor of something else. 
Pig-tail — the common twisted chewing tobacco. 
Pig-tail wig — a w. with a long tail worn hanging down or tied up 
with a bow. Tempus George II.-III. 
Pigeon-toed — the toes inclining or pointing inwardly. 
Pigskin — a stout, coarse-grained leather made of hog's hide. 
Piker — the smallest thing living; an ostentatious buyer and heavy 
canceller; a short-string merchant; a trifler; a kike. 
Pillow — slang for catcher's mitten. 
Pillow-case — a good thing to hit when ausgespielt. 
Pilot cloth — a heavy, woolen overcoating c, smooth faced, similar 
to kersey or beaver, usually dyed navy blue, and intended for 
marine wear. 

Pimento — a peculiar and handsome wood grown in Jamaica, pos- 
sessing a grain or texture susceptible of a very high polish ; much 
used for walking sticks. 

Pin — a little article having many worthier uses than to bend 
crookedly for teacher's chair. 

Pin check — in weaving, a name given to minute checks or 
squares, effected thru colored yarns, resembling pin heads in size. 
Pin rib — a very delicate rib or cord. 

Pin seal — trade term for s. leather (qv) having a very fine, close 
grain. Compare Cow s. 

Pin tucks — plaits about one-sixteenth of an inch wide. 
Pinafore — the sleeveless aprons we wore to keep our dresses 
clean, at table and elsewhere, when we were young. 
Pince nez — eye-glasses held in place by a spring that clamps the 
nose. 



Pin 187 Pip 

Pinch collar — same as meeting folder. 
Pinchbeck — 4 parts copper, 1 of zinc, looks like gold. 
Pine tree — trade name for a cloth made of long fleece wool, 
knitted 108 inches wide and by washing in hot water and soap 
shrunk to 56 inches wide ; mostly used for outdoor clothing in the 
North. 

Pine wool — the decorticated fiber of pine shats, spun into a coarse 
yarn and used in a limited way for knitted "health garments" and 
for bagging. Also called fir-wool. See also Vegetable flannel 
and Wood w. 

Pining out — in hat making the act or process of squeezing the 
water out of a hat body with a round stick similar to a kitchen 
rolling pin. 

Pink — alleged English for red; used only in connection with 
hunting coats (properly scarlet refines). 
Pink — a color not to be worn by boy babies. 
Pink coat — imputed English name for red hunting coats. 
Pinkie — the little finger (colloquial). 

Pinking — (n) puncht scallops along the edge of a lining or other 
part of a garment or article, taking the place of and needing no 
binding or other finish; (v) the act or process of punching a 
scallopt pattern on the margin of fabrics, leather, etc. 
Pinking iron — a cutting tool used in scalloping leather, cloth, etc. 
— driven by blows of a mallet. 

Pinning blanket — one of our first acquaintances among clothes ; a 
barrow coat. 

Pipe — jewelry trade term for collar buttons, rings, cuff buttons, 
etc., made of hollow metal instead of being cast, forged or drawn 
solid. 

Pipe case — a pocket container invented for the presumable pur- 
pose of preventing the odor of a foul pipe from permeating 
one's clothes. 

Pipe-clay — a white clay used in whitening military accoutre- 
ments, and by wearers of white shoes for making a muss around 
the house. 

Piped-edge — in tailoring an e. finish obtained by placing a strip of 
cloth, usually contra color, between the joined edges so that the 
extra strip or piping, which usually encloses a cord for firmness 
and prominence, shall slightly project or show beyond the turn- 
back of the e. 

Piped pocket — made as a jetted p., but with an edge piece of other 
contrasting material as velvet, colored cloth, etc. 
Piped seam — see Corded s. 
Piping — a covered cord for trimming, applied along edges and 



Piq 1 88 Pla 

Pique — a stout ribbed or welted cotton fabric woven of two sets 
of warp (i) "slack", forming the face, and (2) "tight", engaging 
the "slack" in the ribs or welts, which are filled in with soft weft 
to swell them. Also woven in figured patterns, in which case 
better known as Marseilles. 

Pique seam — (glove term) one edge of the join overlapping the 
other and stitcht thru and thru, much used for back seams. Also 
called flat s. and lap s. 

Pistol pocket — usually the right hip p. in trousers. 
Pitch — balance, as, of a coat ; hang. 
Pitcher's toe plate — see T. plate. 

Pith helmet — a light h. made from the pith of an Indian tree, first 
worn by the English army in Egypt. 
P. K. — glove trade abbreviation for pique, which see. 
Placket — an arrangement for closing any open part of a garment 
by means of concealed buttons or snaps; a fly (qv). 
Plaid — colored bars or stripes crossing each other at right angles ; 
a tartan pattern. 

Plaid — a traveling rug or shawl, so called from the commonest 
patterns being plaids. 

Plaid — a long piece of Scotch woolen, in clan or tartan colors, 
worn over the shoulders and fastened at the belt in such a manner 
as to form a kilt (qv) ; the name applies even if the goods are 
plain. 

Plaid-back covert — see Albert cloth. 

Plaiding — (1) a stout twilled woolen fabric, similar to flannel; 
(2) one of the old names for kersey, of a grade used for men's 
plaids or kilts. 

Plain clothes man — a policeman out of uniform. 
Plain edge — in tailoring, a finish to the edges of garments show- 
ing no rows of stitching on the outer surface ; properly attained 
by means of a felling or prick stitch and in manner as described 
under those terms ; a blind e. 

Plain seam — tailoring term for goods sewed together, face to face, 
and then turned right side out, each side of the s. turned back and 
prest flat. Also called regular s. 

Plain weave — that in which every second warp thread is above 
the filling thread, while the alternate threads are below, and the 
positions of the warp threads are reversed for the next filling 
thread; or to say it differently, one set of threads crossing an- 
other series at right angles, passing over and under each other in 
regular alternation and succession. 
Plait — a flattened sewed fold or gather. 
Plaited bosom — a shirt b. arranged in one-way or box plaits. 
Plaited trousers — see Cossacks. 



Pla 189 Poc 

Planter — a wide-brimmed, soft felt hat with a fairly large crown, 
worn without dents or creases. 

Plastron — a sort of shield bosom effect noticed principally on 
uniform coats. 

Plastron — a protecting shield worn by fencers. 
Plastron — a flat scarf or cravat of white wash goods, worn by 
coachmen; also called punjaub and claudent. 
Plated — jeweler's term for baser metals electro-plated with gold 
or silver; also for cheap jewelry made thereof. Compare Washt, 
Rolled gold, Gold filled, Solid gold, etc. 

Plated — term in knitting for hosiery and underwear woven with 
an outer-face of silk on a wool foundation, or silk on cotton, or 
wool on cotton, etc. 

Plated — hatters' term for hats of which the face or nap is of fur 
on a body of wool. 
Pleat — plait is correct. 

Pleating — a process in leather manufacture where the skins, after 
staining and trimming, are folded flesh to flesh, preparatory to 
going to the coloring department for color-finishing. (Plaiting?) 
Plebeskin — a West Point term for the fatigue jacket. 
Plisse — a shirred effect produced in weaving. 
Plowing shoe — broadly, any heavy working s. ; usually of brogan 
or Creole pattern or modifications thereof. 
Plug— a tall silk or felt hat. 
Plug hat — same. 

Plume — a large ornamental feather or bunch of feathers. 
Plume — to decorate one's self with fine clothes. 
Plunge dyed — term for leathers dyed by immersion and conse- 
quently of one color on both sides ; used principally in glove trade 
to distinguish from leathers dyed only on the surface. 
Plunket — a coarse, woolen variety of cloth-of-gold of the 12th and 
13th centuries. 

Plush — general name for fabrics having a longer pile than velvet 
(qv), and of silk, cotton or wool. 
Plush — slang for formal or pretentious livery. 
Ply — a web, layer or thickness, as two-p. cloth, etc. 
Plymouth buck — a drab-colored buckskin. 

P. M. — premium money or bonus given clerks for selling slow- 
moving goods — which is why you have to ask twice or oftener 
for the very newest thing. 

Pocket — an opening in a garment to which a sort of bag, forming 
a receptacle for various impediments, is attacht. In tailoring 
there is a variety of different pockets, named according (1) to 
location in garment, (2) construction and (3) manner of finish ; 
as (1) outside breast p., inside breast p., hip p., side p., top p., 



Poc 190 Pol 

skirt p., watch p., ticket p., etc. ; (2 and 3) regular or horizontal 
p., vertical p., welted p., piped p., patch p., bellows p., jetted p., 
slanting p., flap p., slash p., raw-edge p., raincoat p., etc., all of 
which see. 

Pocket — tailor's term for a certain contrived fullness in a coat 
front, vest, etc., for corpulent customers, as "a pocket for the 
belly", as usually exprest. 

Pocket flap — a covering for the opening of a pocket. See In-and- 
out f., Outside f., etc. The term "pocket f." is used mostly in 
reference to trousers pockets, coat pocket flaps being usually 
designated by their style. 
Pocket flask — held in various estimation. 
Pocket handkerchief — see Handkerchief. 
Pocket hat — see Crusher. 
Pocket hole — the opening of or for a p. 

Pocket knife — a k. having one or more blades which fold into the 
handle, for carrying in one's pocket. 

Pocket lid — a flap — a term little used and only among people un- 
acquainted with technical terms. 

Pocket pistol — (1) a handy piece of artillery; (2) a flask. 
Pocketbook — a small leather book or case for money and papers. 
Pocketing — trade term for any material used for making pockets, 
such as heavy drilling, stout unbleacht muslin, silesia, chamois- 
cloth, cotton velvet, etc. 
Point-device — precise, exact, finical. 

Points — the embroidered or welted spear heads on the backs of 
gloves. 

Points — ties or laces of ribbon or yarn once used instead of but- 
tons or for ornament, often quite decorativ. 
Poke collar — a standing shirt c. with slight front opening, the 
points of which are forwardly accentuated, and bent softly. 
Poke — slang for wallet. 
Polar stocking — see German sock. 

Police belts — (Chicago) : for general superintendent, assistant su- 
perintendent and inspectors : white enamel leather with white 
silk cord and tassel ; for captains, red ; lieutenants, cardinal ; ser- 
geants and patrolmen, black, all with corresponding color silk 
cord and tassels (the two latter of blue-black, patrolmen of cot- 
ton) ; with stars, etc., per regulation. 

Police caps — (New York) : for chief inspector, borough and dis- 
trict inspector: a c. of dark blue cloth with welted sides, trimmed 
with velvet bands, gold lace and gold chin strap ; drooping visor 
of black patent leather ; for captains, same with bands of lustrous 
black mohair braid; for sergeants, same, without the mohair 
bands ; for mounted roundsmen, same, with blue and yellow 



Pol 191 Pol 

bands. Roundsmen and patrolmen wear helmets of pattern as 
may be prescribed from time to time. 

Police uniforms — (Chicago) : Dress coat: for general superintend- 
ent, assistant superintendent and inspectors: a double-breasted 
frock c. of a dark blue cloth, in length within i l / 2 inches of knee, 
buttoning close to throat with standing collar ; collar and cuffs of 
blue-black velvet; 2 rows of gilt buttons, 8 each breast, groupt 
in pairs for superintendent and equidistant for others, 3 buttons 
on cuffs, 6 buttons in back on skirt facings and at waist ; for cap- 
tains and lieutenants : the same except with turnover velvet col- 
lar and plain cloth cuffs ; for sergeants and patrolmen : a single- 
breasted frock c, closing to the neck with 8 buttons, with rolling 
collar; insignia of rank, service chevrons, etc., per regulations. 
Vest and trousers to match, the latter, for sergeants, to have a 
stripe of white soutache braid on outer seams. Overcoat; for 
general superintendent and all officers except sergeants : a double- 
breasted military sack o., of dark blue cloth, reaching to 10 inches 
below knee, closed to the throat with black mohair loops and 
olives with frogging, deep turned-down collar, 2 inside and 2 
regular outside pockets, deep center vent behind ; the front and 
bottom edges, vent and pockets trimmed with flat black mohair 
braid ; for sergeants and patrolmen : a double-breasted frock o. of 
dark blue cloth, in length to 4 inches below the knee, buttoning 
close to the chin with 2 rows of 9 buttons spaced equally, skirt 
trimmed with 6 buttons; turnover collar; flapped shirt pockets; 
inside breast and watch pockets; insignia per regulation. 
Summer uniforms — Coat: for general superintendent, assistant 
superintendent and inspectors: a double-breasted sack c. of 
dark blue cloth, reaching half way to the knee: turned over 
collar of blueblack velvet ; cuffs ditto with 3 buttons ; 2 rows 
of 5 buttons on breast equidistant; 2 outside lower and 2 in- 
side breast pockets; for captains and lieutenants: the same, 
except with plain cuffs; for sergenats and patrolmen: a sin- 
gle-breasted sack c, square cut, length 4 inches below crotch, 
closing to neck with 5 buttons, turnover collar, 2 inside pockets in 
breast. Vest: for officers above grade of sergeant: white duck; 
for sergeants and patrolmen : blue cloth. Trousers to match coat. 

Police uniforms — (New York) Dress coat: for chief inspector, 
borough and district inspectors : a double-breasted frock of dark 
blue cloth, reaching 1 inch below the knee; standing collar; 
pointed velvet cuffs trimmed with gold lace and 2 small buttons ; 
2 rows of buttons on breast, 3 in each row, equally spaced ; double 
pointed side edges in the skirt plaits with a button at each point 
and 2 buttons at the waist ; for captains and sergeants : the same, 
except a double row of 8 buttons on the breast, spaced equally, 
no velvet cuffs; for roundsmen on foot: a single-breasted frock c, 
closing to the neck with 9 buttons, turndown collar ; for mounted 



Pol 192 Pom 

roundsmen : a single-breasted sack c, fastened by a flap with con- 
cealed buttons, standing collar ; for bicycle roundsmen : a double- 
breasted sack c, with 2 rows of 7 buttons, closed to the neck, 
with turndown collar ; for patrolmen : same as for foot rounds- 
men, except without chevrons. Devices, chevrons and insignias 
of rank as per regulations. Trousers to match, plain or with 
braided seams per regulations; mounted roundsmen wear riding 
breeches of blue cloth with black puttee leggins. Overcoat : for 
chief inspector, borough and district inspectors : a double-breasted 
frock c. of dark blue cloth, reaching 2 inches below knee ; rolling 
collar; buttoned to the throat with (2 rows) 9 buttons, equidis- 
tant; velvet cuffs with 3 buttons; double pointed side edge to 
skirt folds, with a button on each point and 2 buttons at waist; 
for captains and sergeants : the same, except 2 rows of 8 buttons, 
no velvet cuffs ; for foot and mounted roundsmen and patrolmen : 
the same, except 2 rows of 9 buttons ; for harbor roundsmen and 
patrolmen: a double-breasted sack o., reaching midway to knee, 
buttoned to neck with 5 buttons on each breast, rolling collar, 2 
outside horizontal pockets. Insignia of rank, service devices, 
chevrons, etc., as prescribed. See also Special police u. Sum- 
mer uniforms — Blouse : for chief inspector, borough and dis- 
trict inspectors, captains and sergeants: a double-breasted 
straight front sack c. of dark blue flannel, buttoning to the neck, 
with a standing collar, 5 buttons on each breast; for foot and 
harbor roundsmen: same style, but single-breasted, 4 buttons, 
with turndown collar; for mounted roundsmen: same as dress 
coat except half-lined and skeleton back ; for bicycle roundsmen : 
same as for mounted roundsmen, with appropriate insignia, etc. ; 
for patrolmen: same as foot roundsmen, without chevrons — all 
with insignia, devices, chevrons, etc., as prescribed. Trousers to 
match. 

Polish cloak — a c. with double cape; fashionable in 1832. 
Polishing — a finishing process in leather manufacture. 
Polishing cloth — a strip of cotton flannel used in shoe factories 
and by bootblacks for the finishing luster when polishing shoes. 
Polka dot — solid round dots or spots of contrasting color. 
Polo breeches — baggy riding b. 

Polo cap — a "square" or flat topt c. with plain sides. 
Polo collar — the double or folded high-band linen shirt c. 
Polo leg guards — see Shin g. 

Polonaise — a short, loose overcoat, worn early in the 19th cen- 
tury, usually fur-faced and trimmed. 
Pomade — a perfumed grease-dressing for the hair. 
Pomander — a perfumed ball or perfumed powder formerly worn 
as a charm or to prevent infection ; also a box for carrying such 
perfume. 



Pom 193 Pos 

Pomatum — sticky grease for making spiky whiskers or love 
locks. 

Pommel slicker — see Saddle coat. 
Pompadour — hair brusht straight upward as if scared. 
Pompon — the colored ball of wool or felt on the front of a shako. 
Poncho — a cape-like woolen or rubber storm blanket, with open- 
ing for slipping on head, with or without collar. 
Pongee — a soft, natural color, lightweight, plain-woven, wash- 
able silk fabric, the warp and weft threads being irregular as 
hand-spun yarns must be; made from the silk of a wild worm 
that feeds on oak leaves. 

Pontiac — a knitted wool material, practically waterproof, oxford 
gray in color, made up into camper's, hunter's and lumberman's 
gloves, shirts, smocks, etc. 

Pool retting — decomposition of flax by immersion in pools. See 
Retting. 

Poole cloth — a sort of broadcloth with a face resembling tricot 
or Venetian, named after Poole, a famous London tailor. 
Poor relation — one who gets our cast-offs. 
Pop-squirt — a jackanapes; an insignificant puppy. 
Popinjay — a chattering coxcomb. 

Poplin — a sort of lightweight ribbed fabric, having properly a 
silk warp and a wool filling, tho also made with linen and cotton 
warp with silk or wool filling, the rib effect being accomplisht by 
the use of heavier weft than warp ; almost always plain dyed, and 
tho used most largely for women's wear, is also used for summer 
coats, garment linings and also when of silk weft, for neck- 
wear, etc. 

Poral — proprietary name for a strong, lightweight worsted fabric 
combining the appearance of cashmere or merino with the feel 
and coolness of alpaca; woven 60 inches wide and 12 to 13 oz. 
weight. 

Porous plasters — a tenacious medicated p. perforated with small 
holes and which is further riddled with the stinging wit of the 
patient when removed. 

Porter — the individual who leaves dust on the merchandise, desks 
and chairs. 

Porter's livery — same as Hallboy's 1. (qv). 

Portmanteau — a capacious article of hand luggage, forerunner of 
the suit case. 

Post — the stem of a collar button, cuff button, etc. 
Postman's uniform — in general, a double-breasted sack suit of 
gray-blue cloth, the coat with gilt departmental buttons, and on 
the sleeves a star or stripe indicating term of service; trousers 
with a narrow welt of black cloth along outer seams; cap to 
match. In summer, coat and vest may be dispenst with and 



Pos 194 Pre 

carriers may wear a shirt of light blue chambray, without bosom 
or plaits, with a white collar ; cap of brown straw. In winter, a 
long double-breasted overcoat of gray-blue cloth. 
Postal telegraph messenger's uniform — see Telegraph m. u. 
Postpaid — an inducement for buying by mail. 
Pot hat — a derby. 
Potash test — see Boiling out t. 

Potay — a name given to a peculiar shape of toe "fashionable" 
some years ago — transient like most shoe names. 
Pouch — (1) a bag-like receptacle for money, handkerchief, to- 
bacco and other personal incommodia; (2) Scotch for pocket. 
Poult de soie — see Peau de soie. 

Pram pusher — "English undefiled" for a pushcart merchant, one 
who displays his wares on a perambulator-cart. 
Pratt fastener — a spring wire coil or clutch, attacht to the top 
edge of laced shoes to hold the laces without tying. 
Prayer belt — a sort of sash worn by Turks and other Moslems. 
Prayer cloth — usually a long strip of scarlet cheese-cloth, wrapt 
'round and 'round — the winding and unwinding being accom- 
panied by prayers — a sort of Mohammedan sartorial rosary. 
Prayer plume — see P. stick. 

Prayer rug — a r., often with a pointed device, symbolizing the 
temple, on which Mahommedans kneel and prostrate themselves, 
the "temple" and the face being turned toward Mecca. 
Prayer stick — a small wand adorned with feathers, used by Zuni 
Indians in their prayers for rain and other incantations. 
Prayer thong — same as Phylactery. 

Preaching gown — a loose g. of black silk or woolen stuff, with 
plain or plaited closed front and wide flowing sleeves with under- 
sleeves and deep yoke back ; also worn with cassock cincture and 
with falling-band at throat. 
Precious metals — gold, silver, platinum. 

Precious stone — general term for the most valuable of gems, as 
diamond, ruby, emerald, sapphire, etc. 

Premium — a bonus given salesmen for selling old or undesirable 
merchandise. Commonly called "P M". 

Preparing — in weaving, mohair, alpaca and long staple yarns, 
instead of being carded, are combed or "prepared" by being 
passed thru slowly revolving rollers and straightening machinery, 
emerging with the fibers laid parallel ready for the combing ma- 
chine. 

President braid — a trimming b. having short diagonal ribs ex- 
tending from side to side of the web. 

Press brush — a flat b., handled, having a very thick wood back, 
the reverse side being used as a paddle or pounder to work the 
steam in. 



Pre 195, Pri 

Press iron — a tailor's smoothing i. ; a goose. 
Press off — tailoring term for the act of pressing a garment after 
making. 

Press rag — a cloth used, commonly dampened, between iron on 
garment while latter is being prest. 

Press stand — an ironing board or stand for pressing garments. 
Presser — a workman in clothing factories who presses garments 
into proper shape by means of hot irons. 

Pressing — the finishing operation in garment making — and an 
attention that must often be renewed. 
Pressing board — same as p. stand. 
Price (the) — vernacular for money. 

Price-mark — hieroglyphic evidence of collusion between seller 
and his clerks for the purpose of obtaining any price the cus- 
tomer will stand : unless prices are marked in plain figures — in 
which case part of the salesmen's occupation is gone. 
Price-ticket — a cryptographic joker. 
Prick seam — (glove term) see Prix s. 

Prick stitch — a tailoring s. used on edges where a stitcht effect 
is not desired, and when the material is too heavy for either a 
back s. or side s. The needle is passed entirely thru the material 
at each s., and returning, repeated from the underside, practically 
at the same points, leaving only a slight indentation or prick 
where the s. is laid. 

Pricking — a name applied to a particular process in shoe making 
done by a machine which stamps the indentations around the 
top of the welt of a shoe where the stitches come. Putting these 
indentations into the welt is called "pricking up" and is done 
after the outer sole is stitcht on. 

Pricking-back stitch — same as prick s. (qv) — the placing of the s. 
makes either a back or a side s. ; whence name. 
Pricking wheel — see Tracing w. 

Prickt edge — a variety of plain or blind e. (qv) hand-finisht 
with a prick stitch (qv) showing a perfectly plain, seamless sur- 
face ; a felled e. (Pricked e.) 

Pride of the West — a standard brand of shirting muslin. 
Priest cloak — same as Clerical c. 
Prime — see Wool. 

Primp — to be fastidious in making the toilet. 
Prince Albert — a double-breasted frock coat. See Frock coat. 
Print — general trade term for printed cotton fabrics, as shirtings, 
calicos, etc. 

Printed — trade term for fabrics in which the pattern is printed, 
not woven — usually shirtings, silks, etc., tho satinets for men's 
wear are also printed. 



Pri 196 Pug 

Prison-made — term applied to shoes and other articles made in 
correctiv manual training institutions. 

Prison uniform — varies with different institutions, but is com- 
monly a blouse and trousers of heavy cotton drilling in bold 
black-and-white or gray stripes, running horizontally in the 
made-up garments, with cap to correspond. 
Private stitches — tailor's term for preliminary s. made at the com- 
mencement or completion of a felling, stoating, rentering, etc., to 
gain a holding before the first or after the last stitch of the real 
sewing; these private s. are not of any special kind. 
Private's uniform — (army) see Full dress, Dress u., White u., 
Service u., Fatigue u. ; (marine corps) Full dress, Undress, Field 
u. Also variants. 

Privy coat — a light coat of mail, once worn under the ordinary 
attire as a protection. 
Prix — French for price. 

Prix seam — (glove term) a join in which the two edges are placed 
together flatwise and sewed thru and thru from the sides, leaving 
an outwardly extending ridge, mostly used for walking gloves. 
Also called Out s. 

Profits — anything in excess of actual running expenses. 
Proof — see Cravenette, Waterproof, Coachmen's p., Raincoat- 
ing, etc. 

Proportionate figure — in tailoring anatomies, a figure that is in 
perfect proportion ; used as a basis for measurements and varia- 
tions. 

Prospector's boot — about the same as hunting b. (qv), but usu- 
ally knee high. 
Prunella — lasting cloth. 

Prussian collar — a plain, turned down coat c. without revers or 
lapels, buttoning close up to the throat. Also called falling c. 
and turn-down c. Compare Cadet c. 

Pucka — a word in frequent use among the English in the West 
Indies signifying sterling, of good quality, desirable, etc. 
Pucker — to gather into small folds or wrinkles. 
Puckered — a wrinkled or cockled condition. 
Pudding cravat — a great puffy scarf or neckdressing originally 
invented by someone to hide a poulticed throat. 
Puff — (1) a neckdressing made of a De Joinville or an Ascot 
scarf, first tied in a broad knot and the ends then crossed over; 
(2) a readymade cravat of the same effect. 

Puff-bosom — a shirt bosom gathered or shirred at upper and 
lower edges to create a fulness. 
Pug nose — see Snub n. 

Puggaree — (1) a light scarf around a hat to keep off the sun 
(Pugree) ; (2) a turban worn by Hindoos. 



Pul 197 Pyj 

Pull — see String-out. 

Pull-out — tailor's term for catching up with one's work if be- 
hind or "in the drag". 

Pulled wool — inferior fleece from sheep that have been slaugh- 
tered for food or that may have died from disease or exposure. 
Also called "Skin w." 
Pulling-over — see Tacking. 
Pulse warmer — see Wristlet. 

Pumps — low shoes for evening dress wear or dancing, of shorter 
vamp and lighter than Oxfords (qv), and usually without lacing 
or other fastening, but commonly ornamented with a bow. 
Punching bag — an inflated leather or rubber bag for muscular 
development, of which ruptured noses and blackened eyes are a 
characteristic betraying the amateur. 

Punching bag gloves — stout leather g., well padded, wholly or 
partially covering the hands or knuckles. 
Punjab — a plastron or flat cravat usually worn by coachmen. 
Punjum — a cotton cloth made in Southern India. 
Punk — a contemptuous adjectival designation given to shoddy 
and goods of flimsy character and dishonest construction. 
Pure — in leather making, bating material, as dog's or bird's 
dung; bate. 

Pure dye — silk term indicating that the least amount of dye that 
will give a permanent color and finish has been used; not adul- 
terated with impurities to rot fabric or weight the goods; un- 
fading; fast color; washable. Compare Weighted. 
Pure dye test — silk to which a lighted match is applied does not 
take fire, but shrivels up with a dull leaden ash or char, if of pure 
dye. 

Purgatory collar — a peculiar turned over shirt c. of about 1888, 
somewhat Byronic but more freakish. 
Puritan hat — see Round h. 

Purity suit — a euphemism of Mark Twain's applied to suits of 
white flannel or cloth. 

Purse — a bag, pouch or case for carrying money, usually of 
leather. 

Pusher — a sort of slipper or inner sock, consisting of a sole and 
vamp of soft chamois leather, worn with running and jumping 
shoes. 

Puttee — a legging that looks like a surgical bandage. 
Pyjamas — a favored spelling of pajamas. 



198 Qui 



Q 



Quadrille — small even squares or checks. 

Quaker — a member of a religious sect having strict rules of 
dress for both sexes — a case of being particular without being 
dandified. 

Quarter — one-fourth of a yard ; a unit of measurement for broad 
goods, such as cloths, sheeting, blankets, etc., which are gener- 
ally indicated by the signs 4-4, 5-4, 6-4, 8-4, 10-4, etc. Compare 
Doublewidth. 

Quarter — that part of a shoe or boot, on either side, from the 
middle of the heel to the line of the ankle bone ; the back part of 
shoe-uppers. See Vamp. 

Quarter blood — wool classification term. See Wool. 
Quarter lined — tailoring term for coats partially lined, less so 
than half lined and but little more than "skeleton"; usually a 
short, light lining extending around the armhole and in a slant- 
ing direction to about half the depth of the forepart, merely cov- 
ering the interlining. 

Quarter round — trade term for buttons considerably rounded on 
the face, but not quite hemispherical. 
Quarter Scotch — see Scotch edge. 

Queen's mourning cloth — a black-and-white or pepper-and-salt 
cassimere ; so called from wide usage after death of Queen 
Victoria. 

Queue — a pendant braid of hair on the back of the head, either 
natural hair or part of a wig ; a pigtail. 

Quill — (1) a fluted or cylindrical fold, as in a ruff or ruffle; (2) 
a large, stiff feather. 

Quilling — an edge finish of narrow plaits or fluting resembling 
quills. See above. 
Quilt — an outer bed covering. 

Quilt — to stitch together two pieces of material, usually with a 
third or padding fabric between them and generally in some set 
or ornamental pattern. 

Quilted lining — a layer of cotton batting faced on one or both 
sides with silk, satin or other cloth and sewed together or quilted 
in fancy patterns. 

Quilting — a heavy, firmly-woven, cotton or linen cloth, similar 
to matelasse, employed for waistcoats, etc. 

Quirt — a riding whip with a short wooden or stiff leather handle 
and a braided rawhide lash or lashes, about two feet long. 



199 Rai 



R 



Rabat — a sort of bosom or dicky for hot weather wear under 
coat without waistcoat or collar, usually of silk, either plain or 
plaited; worn by Catholic clergymen. 

Rabbit — lepus cuniculus, lepus sylvaticus, et ah, the fur of which 
is an important item of hat manufacture and is also used for the 
cheaper fur garments. 

Rabbit foot — used by actors and near-actors to blend grease 
paints, and by the superstitious as a fetich or omen of good luck. 
Raccoon — an American nocturnal procyonoid carnivore of the 
genus Procyon, related to the bears and beloved by the negroes, 
the pelt of which is largely used in the manufacture of fur gar- 
ments, overcoat linings, caps and lap robes. 

Racing cap — a close-fitting hood or c. for automobiling, skating, 
etc. 

Racing coat — same as Kennel c. 

Racing suit — a leather, cloth or rubber coat and trousers, for 
automobile wear, so fashioned as to afford unusual freedom of 
movement and by means of straps or elastics at cuffs, neck, etc., 
to prevent ingress of wind, rain or dust; the outfit is completed 
by gauntlets, a racing hat or cap, and goggles. 
Rag shears — same as Wool s. 

Rag, tag and bobtail — (i) a fluttering rag or tatter, as from a 
garment; (2) odds and ends of merchandise; (3) ragged or 
worthless people. 
Ragged — needing repairs. 

Raglan — a loose overcoat, the sleeves of which continue over 
the shoulders up to the collar. Named after Lord Raglan, who 
devised a similar garment for the protection of his soldiers dur- 
ing the Crimean war, the idea being to increase their fighting 
capacity by the greater freedom of action afforded by the pe- 
culiar shoulder. The original coat also had sleeves with cuffs 
that could be turned down over the hands for warmth ; gloves 
being quite unknown. 

Rah-rah — a name given with little respect to the voyant affecta- 
tions of college boys. 

Raider hat — a sort of "rough rider" or sombrero h. (fr. Dr. Jame- 
son's "raiders"?) 

Railroad conductor's uniform — varies with different roads ; most 
commonly a short cutaway frock coat and flapt hip pockets, out- 
side breast pocket and brass buttons, vest and trousers to match, 



Rai 200 Ram 

all of dark blue cloth ; on some roads the conductors wear double- 
breasted sack coats, and on others, single-breasted ; usually com- 
pleted with a semi-military cap with insignia. 
Railroad seam — tailoring term, same as Cord s. (qv), but stitcht 
on each side of the join. See R. stitching. 

Railroad stitching — in tailoring, a style of edge and seam finish- 
ing, consisting of a double row of stitches near the edge or join 
and a third row at a much greater distance — usually 1/16, l /^ 
y 2 welt; so-called from having originally been a characteristic 
of r. uniforms. 

Rain clothes — (navy) as worn by all enlisted men, consist of hat, 
coat and trousers of black painted waterproof material, as same 
pattern as Cape Ann suits. Certain petty officers are allowed 
to wear a long coat of similar material and style in lieu of the 
trousers and short coat. 
Raincloak — a waterproof cloak. 

Raincoat — a mackintosh or waterproof over-garment. See 
Cravenette. 

Raincoat pocket — properly, a vertical p. finisht with a welt or 
fitted (qv), with an opening thru the lining inside, so that the 
hands may have access to the trousers or body coat pockets 
without unbuttoning the raincoat ; also made regular horizontal 
style, opening thru, with outside flaps over the top. See Slasht p. 
Raincoating — general name for overcoatings made rainproof by 
any of various processes, as "Cravenette", "Cielette", etc. ; gener- 
ally fine, closewoven, round twilled, bare finisht worsteds, usu- 
ally plain or with a pepper-and-salt effect, and sometimes with a 
patterned-back. 

Rainstick — slang for umbrella. 

Raised cuff — a welted effect on a coat sleeve. 

Raised seam — see Swell s. and Welt s. 

Rake — in certain German settlements, a comb. 

Rake-off — graft : know what that is ? 

Ramie — trade term for the fiber of a nettle-like plant growing 

in Eastern Asia, of great length, strength, fineness, whiteness and 

silky luster, used extensivly for underwear, cordage, draperies, 

etc. Also called rhea, Chinese grass, nettle fiber, cambric, etc. 

Ramillies hat — a 1770 military h., the back flap of which turnel 

up sharply, and was not only higher than the crown but higher 

than the two front flaps, the middle of the front brim being out 

a bit. See also Cockt h. and Kevenhuller. 

Ramillies wig — a w. with a long, gradually diminishing plaited 

tail tied with a large bow at the top and a smaller one at bottom, 

the hair bushing out over the ears ; first worn in 1706 after battle 

of Ramillies. Also called R. tail. 



Ran 20 1 Rea 

Rand — an irregular shaped slip of leather inserted into a (shoe) 
heel to fill the gap between sole and lifts. Formerly the term 
was applied to seams. 

Random yarn — weaving term for weft yarns wound around with 
shorter threads of contrasting color. 

Rapier — a light, long, narrow sword with a sharp point, adapted 
for thrusting rather than cutting; a fencing sword; a dress 
sword. 

Rappee — coarse-grained, dark, strong flavored snuff. 
Ratine — an overcoating cloth similar to chinchilla but of finer 
curl. 

Rating badge — (navy) specifically a spread-eagle above a spe- 
cialty mark and a class chevron, differentiated by regulation, 
worn by all petty officers of the starboard watch on the right 
sleeve and of the port watch on the left sleeve. 
Ratteen — a general name of 17th and 18th centuries for coarse 
woolen cloths. Lighter fabrics were frequently called ratinets. 
Rattinet — see Ratteen. 

Rattle — a toy that some grown-ups seem still to need. 
Raveling — a thread frayed from a fabric. 

Raw-edge — a finish used principally on overcoats of heavy cloths 
like meltons and kerseys, the edges not being turned in, but 
sewed thru and thru, then evenly pared or trimmed with knife or 
shears. 

Raw-edge pocket — a p. finisht to match the raw edges of gar- 
ments so made. 

Raw seam — (tailoring) the two parts are placed facing one way 
and overlapping the required distance and stitcht to correspond 
with the stitching of the edge. See R. edges. 
Raw silk — s. as first reeled into skeins and hanks. 
Rawhide — (1) untanned drest leather; (2) a whip made of raw 
cowhide. 

Raye — French textil term for patterns of delicate stripes or nar- 
row lines. 

Razor — consult the colored gentleman who tidies up the office. 
Razor strop— a flexible strap of leather or leather and canvas for 
stropping or sharpening razors and for walloping unruly sons. 
R. D. — tailor's term applied to a man who has been imperfectly 
trained. See Right dress. 

Readymade — broadly, any garment or article of apparel ready to 
wear or use ; more particularly applied to clothing, as distinguisht 
from tailoring to order. 

Readymader — a word coined by the writer of this book, to de- 
scribe a maker of or dealer in readymade clothing, and used by 
him in advertising and pickt up by others, of course. 



Rea 202 Reg 

Rear admiral's uniform — see Special full dress, Full dress, Dress, 
Service dress, Evening dress, Mess dress, Undress. Also see 
variants. 

Rear pockets — hip p. ; skirt p. 

Rebate — a deduction, drawback, or discount; for expert defini- 
tions consult any railroad, oil company or trust. 
Rebato — a falling band or collar turned over upon the shoulders. 
Receipt — the most complacent part of a charge account. 
Recherche — quite correct and elegant. 

Red gold — g. alloyed with copper. Compare Green g. and 
White g. 

Red-herrings — red side whiskers. 
Red tan — bark tanned. See Tan. 

Redingote — a double-breasted outside coat with long, plain 
skirts ; a French corruption of the English riding coat. 
Reefer — (1) a short, heavy overcoat or jacket usually of chin- 
chilla, frieze or other heavy cloth, and double-breasted, com- 
monly worn by seamen, cattlemen and others exposed to the 
weather ; (2) a boys' coat of similar style. 
Reefer — a muffler. 

Reel silk — technical term for long silk fibers of all classes. 
Reference sample — a small swatch of goods for reference pur- 
poses, usually about 3x5 inches. 

Refine cloth — an extra fine dress c. with a nap resembling broad- 
cloth ; used principally for livery ; also called Dress refines. 
Refinish — see below. 

Refmishing — the process of steaming, ironing, etc., for restoring 
the characteristic mill gloss or finish to woolens, worsteds, etc., 
after shrinking or sponging. 

Refund — to (take back goods sold and) give back the money paid. 
Regalia — the distinctiv parts of attire, decorations and symbols 
of a society or order. 

Regimentals — loosely, all articles of military apparel; properly, 
corps or mess uniforms. 

Regular — trade term for readymade garments designed to fit 
persons of normal build ; standard sizes, from which longs, 
stouts, slims, etc., are variations. 
Regular cuffs — see Round c. 
Regular made — see Full r. 

Regular pocket — a horizontal p. such as you will probably find in 
your sack coat if it is not a freak garment. 
Regular seam — see Plain s. 

Regular twist — yarns twisted to the right. (Woolen trade.) See 
Reverse t. 



R eg 203 Ret 

Regulations — rules of dress prescribed by army, navy and other 
bureaus. 

Re-heel — to put new soles onto footwear, as shoes, hosiery, etc. 
Re-sole — to put new soles on shoes, boots, etc. ; also stockings. 
Reindeer — (1) a fur, more or less authentic, used in glove mak- 
ing; (2) leather ditto. 

Reinforced — strengthened by extra layers, strips, welts, gussets 
or other device of cloth or other material for purposes of strength, 
wear, etc. 

Rejects— trade term for goods rejected for imperfections or for 
not coming up to standard. 

Remnant — any odd length or quantity remaining unsold. 
Rentering — tailor's term for the process of hiding a seam, the 
stitches themselves being hidden. A plain seam is first sewn to 
give strength; this is first stretcht open until the sewing is ex- 
posed, when a stitch close to the seam is taken, catching but a 
trifle of the material on one part and a similar part on the other 
side of the seam, the needle coming out close to the part where it 
last went in. The seam is next prest out and while the steam 
is still in the cloth, the nap along it is prickt with a needle point 
and the nap finally brusht into place. 
Repairing — mending, of course. 

Repellent — a sort of waterproof cloth of wool, wool-and-cotton 
or all-cotton. 

Reserve stock — merchandise carried in stock-room or warehouse 
awaiting transferrence to the selling department. Compare For- 
ward s. 

Resist dyeing — a process in textil production based on the an- 
tipathy of tannic acid to many common dyestuffs; consisting, 
briefly, in dyeing (cotton, silk, worsted and woolen) yarn in the 
desired colors and then saturating them in a bath of tannic acid 
and antimony with an after-treatment of tin crystals; the pre- 
pared yarns are then woven, according to pattern to be produced, 
in with regular or "gray" yarn, the resulting fabric being then 
dyed in the piece, emerging with the prepared yarns showing up 
in their original colors, in contrast to the "piece dyed" yarn. 
Compare Batik, Discharge printing, Extracted, Tied-and-dried, 
Cross-dyed, etc. 

Retired officer's uniform — (army) generally, that of his rank 
when in service, but without certain insignia ; they may, at their 
option, wear the pattern of u. which was prescribed at the time of 
their retirement, but cannot combine the earlier with the later; 
(navy) not required to have any other than service dress, if or- 
dered to duty. 

Retting — rotting; a process of separating the woody core from 
the flax fibers preparatory to the operations of spinning, etc ; the 



Ret 204 Rib 

three principal methods being (1) dew retting, (2) pool retting 
and (3) retting in running water. 

Returnable — privilege allowed customers of bringing back pur- 
chases for exchange or refund. 

Revamp — to furnish a shoe (boot, etc.), with a new vamp or 
upper; to mend; to patch up. 

Revenue cutter service cap — for officers, of dark blue cloth, hav- 
ing a flat top one-fourth to one-half wider than the base, the sides 
2.y 2 to 3 inches high, with a band of lustrous black mohair, and a 
visor of black patent leather except for captains, whose caps shall 
have visors of cloth decorated with gold soutache, oak leaves and 
acorns; service buttons, insignia, etc., per regulations. White 
caps of same pattern as blue c. Similar caps for cadets and en- 
listed men. 

Revenue cutter service overcoat — for officers, a double-breasted 
ulster of smooth dark-blue cloth, reaching to 9 to 12 inches from 
the ground, and with deep rolling collar, two rows of 7 plain 
black buttons on each breast spaced equidistant from knee to 
throat, belt of same material, and hood of same material for night 
wear or foul weather ; marks, insignia and ornamentation as pre- 
scribed. For enlisted men, a similar coat, but reaching only to 
the knee. For cadets a coat similar to that for officers. 
Revenue cutter service uniforms — see Dress, Full dress, Service 
dress, Social full dress, et var. 
Rever — a turned-back lapel or cuff. 

Reverse twist — yarns twisted to the left. (Woolen trade.) See 
Regular t. 

Reversible vest — a waistcoat (vest) made of two fabrics, usually 
one dark and one light or one quiet and one fancy, either side of 
which could be worn exposed to suit the occasion ; worn to a 
limited extent in the last ten years of the last century and re- 
cently resurrected. See Vestwo. 

Revolver — slang terms are numerous : five-shooter and six- 
shooter, meat in the pot, blue lightning, peace-maker, Mr. 
Speaker, black-eyed Susan, pill box, my unconverted friend, 
barker, persuader, etc. 
Rhadame — see Satin r. 
Rhea — see Ramie. 

Rheumatism ring — a r. of magnetic iron, or of zinc and copper, 
supposed to be a fetich against aches and pains. 
Rhingraves — breeches worn by French courtiers some centuries 
ago, made wholly by loops of ribbon. 

Rib — a ridge or cord formed in the groundwork of a fabric, em- 
phasized on the face. 
Riband — old spelling of ribbon. 

Ribbed — woven, knitted or markt with ribs, cords or ridges, 
either structurally or in finishing. 



Rib 205 Rob 

Ribbed Norfolk — name given to a N. jacket (1908) having a con- 
tinuous set of plaits around the body from yoke to waist, the 
yoke or upper part and skirt or down part being plain. See also 
"Stroke coat". 

Ribbon — a narrow band or selvaged strip of silk or velvet. Im- 
agine men nowadays wearing ribbons in quantity — yet they did 
centuries ago ! 

Ribbon chopper — fresh term for a salesman in the r. department 
of a retail store. 

Ride — when your tie crawls over your shirt collar, that's it. 
Riding breeches — baggy b. with re-enforced seat, and with cuffs 
below the knees reaching often below the calf. 
Riding cloths — general term for fabrics used for r. breeches, cav- 
alry uniforms, etc., as covert, whipcord, khaki, olive-drab worsted, 
serge, etc. 

Riding coat — a single-breasted frock c. with short, full skirts. 
Riding cuffs — leather c. buckling closely around the wrists or 
over the coat sleeves ; often much ornamented ; worn chiefly by 
plainsmen on horseback. 

Riding trousers — plain t., with but little leg shape, strapped be- 
neath the shoe, and with re-enforced seat. 
Riding whip — a crop. 

Rigby cloth — a sort of waterproof c, chemically treated by the 
"Rigby" process. 

Right dress — the wrong way. See Dress. 

Right twill — weaving term indicating that the direction of the 
rib (as of serge, cheviot, etc.) leads from the bottom (goods held 
lengthwise) upwardly to the right. See Left t. 
Rimless spectacles — same as frameless s. 
Ring — finger frivolity. 
Rip — a tear. 

Rip — a pannier or basket for carrying fish. 
Rip pocket — term occasionally used for jetted p. (qv). 
Rippling — the process of removing the seeds from flax, prepara- 
tory to the spinning processes. 

Rise — tailor's term, meaning, from fork (of trousers) to waist- 
line. 

River shoe — see Lumbermen's s. 
Roacht — curved upwardly. (Reached.) 

Roanoke — a sort of wampum of West Indian shells ; currency of 
early colonial days. 

Roast beef dress — English naval slang for full uniform. 
Robe — a drest Buffalo skin. 
Robe de Calvin — the Geneva gown (qv). 

Robe de chambre — a dressing gown or informal morning costume 
for sybarites. 



Rob 206 Ros 

Robe de nuit — plain night gown. 

Robe maker — a m. of official and ceremonial robes and acces- 
sories. 

Rochet — a close-fitting vestment of linen, somewhat like a short 
alb or a surplice with tight sleeves ; worn by bishops, abbots and 
certain privileged canons. 

Rocking last — trade term for shoes built with soles curved or 
turning up from the ground. See Flat 1. 
Roll collar — a long c. without peak or notch ; a shawl c. 
Rolled gold — technically, a compound plate having a gold face 
and a back, or an interior filling, of baser metal ; largely used for 
cheap jewelry. Compare G. filled, G. plated, etc. 
Roller towel — toweling sewed together at the ends and hung 
upon a roller, usually found in offices and shops. 
Rolling collar — (1) soft, not stiffened by haircloth; (2) shawl c. ; 
(3) a Prussian c. 

Roman gold — satin finisht. See Etruscan g. 
Roman stripes — trade term for plain, flat, transverse stripes of 
varying widths and bright contrasting colors, occasionally popu- 
lar in neckwear silks. 

Rompers — general term for one-piece overgarments worn by 
very young children at play for protection of their better clothes. 
Rondache — a round, Highland defensiv target or shield (obso- 
lete). 

Roof — a hat. 

Roof test — see Exposure t. 

Room — trade term used by clothing manufacturers, denoting an 
allowance or addition to size, particularly across the chest and 
blades, over regular patterns, when making up cheap, insubstan- 
tial fabrics, such allowance being made to offset strain and give 
seemingly better wear to the garment. 

Rope-stitch — in tailoring a heavier s. than usual, — stouter silk 
being used, the stitches longer and not so tightly drawn; em- 
ployed mostly on fancy waistcoats. 

Roquelaure — "a short abridgment or compendium of a cloak, 
which is dedicated to the Duke of Roquelaure". A cloak without 
hood. 

Rosary — a string of beads, for counting a series of prayers, used 
by Roman Catholics, Mahommedans, Buddhists, etc. 
Rose cutting — term for small diamonds (see Chip) having a flat 
base with a hemispherical or low pyramidal upper surface cov- 
ered with small and generally irregular facets. 
Rose diamond — a splinter. See above. 

Roseberry cloth — a light-weight, closely-woven, mercerized, wa- 
terproof, lustrous cotton fabric, having a fine round cord weft- 
wise of the goods, resembling fine repps, employed for summer 



Ros 207 Rub 

automobile garments, raincoats, hunting and fishing capes, etc. 
A similar cloth, rather heavier, is known as burberry cloth. 
Rostrum — facetious for tailor's block. 

Rotten Row — a drive in Hyde Park, London: a resort of the 
fashionable; from le route de roi (the rout of the king). 
Rotting — see Retting. 

Rough-and-ready — (1) hat trade term for coarse straws; (2) 
any garment or article of unusually stout and durable construc- 
tion and quality; (3) a favorit plug "chewing". 
Rough leather — simple undrest 1., as that for shoe soles. 
Rough rider — (1) name freely applied to any article of apparel 
possessing a rough-and-ready military appearance; (2) name of 
a famous regiment in the Spanish-American war. 
Rough rounding — the (machine) process of trimming off and 
accurately shaping the sole of a shoe. 

Round cuffs — detachable shirt c. that button over onto their 
opposit ends, now being rapidly superseded by link c. (qv). 
Round hat — (1) the plain h. worn during Cromwell's dictator- 
ship ; also called Puritan h. ; (2) any modern h. resembling or of 
similar plainness. 

Round seam — (glove term) the two edges are placed together 
and sewed over and over; used only with thin, tough, elastic 
leathers ; also called over-s. and cable s. 

Round shouldered — the back rounded or the shoulders stooping. 
Roundabout — a short, single-breasted cutaway sack coat or 
jacket reaching to the waist, worn by boys and young men in the 
4o's ; later by sailors, mechanics, etc. 

Rounding — in hat making, the cutting of brims to the desired 
pattern. 

Rounding gauge — a g. for cutting hat brims. 
Rounding jack — a stand or block on which a hat is held while 
being trimmed round. 
Roundsman's uniform — see Police u. 

Rove — a slightly twisted sliver of silk, wool, cotton or other fiber ; 
a slub. 

Rove — to join and elongate the slivers of wool, silk or fiber in 
carding ; to draw into thread ; to ravel. 

Roving — the operation of giving the first twist to thread by ma- 
chinery. See Drawing. 
Roving frame — a slubbing machine. 

Roving machine — a machine for winding rovings onto bobbins. 
Rowel — the wheel of a spur (qv). 

Rowing shirt — a low-necked s. with very large, deep armholes. 
Royal bird — see Wig. 

Royale — a style of chin whisker, same as Imperial (qv). 
Rub stick — a shoemaker's tool for finishing the bottoms of soles. 



Rub 208 Run 

Rubber apron — a sort of apron worn by icemen, carriage washers, 
dairymen, etc. 

Rubber cloth — (1) usually cotton sheeting or drilling with a coat- 
ing of rubber on one side ; used for mackintoshes and sometimes 
for interlining ulsters; (2) a heavy cotton fabric coated on one 
side with a composition of rubber, usually stampt in imitation 
of various leathers and employed in cheap hand luggage, car- 
riage tops, etc. 

Rubber heels — lifts attacht to shoe heels for ease in walking; 
also called sneakers. 

Rubber tissue — a thin, gummy substance used to save cost of 
sewing; it unites cloth on being heated and is most used for 
trousers hems. 

Rubbering — the man who is looking thru this book for something 
shocking that isn't here. 

Rubberized — trade term for waterproof fabrics having one side 
of silk or other textil fabric and the other of rubber; also for 
double-faced fabrics with a center of rubber. 
Rubbers — see Overshoes. 

Rubbing gloves — see Bath mittens — quite similar. 
Rubbing strap — a long, narrow band of knitted wool, terry towel- 
ing, etc., for use in the bath — it reaches the back. Also called 
Bath s. 

Ruck sack — a form of pack used by mountain climbers in the 
Alps and elsewhere. 

Rucked — wrinkled, crumpled. (Ruckt preferable.) 
Ruff — a plaited, crimpt or fluted collar or frill, especially a very 
broad, full and stiffly starcht one. 

Ruffles — we wore them once on shirt-fronts, at our wrists, and 
elsewhere — and we might do worse today. 

Rug — a heavy shawl carried by travelers as protection against 
cold. 

Rugby toe — one of the numerous shoemaking terms for a me- 
dium-narrow t. 

Rumchunder — an India silk stuff. 

Rummage sale — a bargain sale of truck and odds and ends. 
Rumple — to wrinkle or muss. 

Run — a slipt thread or threads in underwear, hosiery, gloves 
or other article of similar fabric, resulting in a progressiv widen- 
ing and lengthening of the damage or "run". 
Runner — a name applied to a certain kind of calf upper leathers, 
a runner being a grown-up calf or heifer; the term calf skin being 
applied to a skin that would not measure over fourteen square 
feet — while a runner might measure three or four feet more. 
Running pants — shapeless, light cotton things not reaching to the 
knees. 



Run 209 Sab 

Running shoes — low, soft leather s. with light turned sole, with 
or without cleats. 

Running stitch — a tailoring s. made in a straight line, one in front 
of another, of various lengths and distances apart, but averaging 
about ^4 i ncn each in length ; used mostly for basting sleeve lin- 
ings for try-on. 

Rush order — to be gotten out ahead of the usual course. 
Russet — coarse, peasant-loomed cloth used in home-made gar- 
ments, originally of reddish brown color, tho name clings to 
variations. 

Russia leather — a fine quality of calf 1. tanned in willow bark, 
dyed in cochineal and sandalwood, finisht with stannic chlorid 
and drest with birch-bark oil, having a brownish red color, a 
fragrant odor and the properties of resisting insects, moisture, etc. 
Russian braid — soutache (qv). 

Russian collar — a variety of Prussian c. (qv) applied to ulsters, 
etc. — standing higher, turned down, and meeting in front; also 
called Cadet c. 

Russian duck — a fine quality of white linen canvas, used for hot- 
weather garments. 

Russian marmot — a fur used mostly for coat linings. 
Russian overcoat — same as cadet o. 

Russian sable — an animal of the weazel family, living in the ex- 
treme north of Russia, highly prized for its rich brown fur. See 
Sable. 

Russian turban — a cap with a high round crown and a double 
band forming the sides. 

Russian vest — a double-breasted waistcoat, buttoning close up to 
the neck, worn in cold weather. 

Rusty — said of black which is faded or shows signs of fading. 
Ryder — cant for cloak. 



s 



Saber — a heavy sword with one cutting edge and a thick back. 
Saber belt — (army) a waist-b. with detachable slings, to be worn 
outside the full dress coat, by all officers except chaplains. For 
general officers, except brigadier generals, of red russia leather 
with gold embroidery and russia leather slings; for brigadier 
generals, of black webbing with russia leather slings ; for all field 
officers, of black enameled leather with a stripe of gold lace; for 
oificers of the staff corps and departments, except engineers, be- 



Sab 210 Saf 

low rank of field officer, of black enameled leather with four 
stripes of black-and-gold ; for officers of cavalry, artillery and 
infantry, of black enameled leather with four stripes of gold wire 
lace interwoven with silk of the color of the arm of the service ; 
for officers of engineers, same as for officers of artillery. 
Saber knot — (army) for full dress and dress occasions of heavy 
gold cord with acorn ends, for general officers; and of gold 
and black mixt for all other officers, except chaplains ; on other 
occasions, of plaited russet leather; all according to regulation 
pattern. 

Sable — an animal related to and not unlike the marten, yielding 
a dark fur highly prized for winter garments. 
Sabot — a rude shoe made of wood, worn by peasants in Franco 
and elsewhere. 

Sabretache — a leather pocket hung from the left side of the 
sword belt; a popinjay military ornament. 

Sack cloth — a coarse obsolete material doubtless worn for osten- 
tatious penitence. 

Sack coat — properly a plain, short c, without skirts, either single 
or double-breasted, made up of two foreparts and a single or 
divided back part, and with two or more pockets with in-and-out 
flaps, tho other varieties of pockets are also employed (as welt, 
patch, etc.). Also called lounge c. The Norfolk jacket is a 
variety of sack c, and the Chesterfield overcoat is a true sack c, 
tho long. 

Sack-frock cutaway — a 1908 frock coat resembling a walking 
frock without a frock waist-seam, but having a sidebody seam 
from a cut waist-line to the shoulder. 
Sack raglan — see Raglan. 
Sacque — an infant's undershirt. 
Sad-color — brown or browny. 

Saddle — a padded or cushioned seat put upon a horse's back out 
of mercy for the beast. 

Saddle coat — a waterproof c. so contrived as to cover wearer, 
and saddle pommel and cantle ; a "pommel slicker". 
Saddle-piece — a re-enforcement of the seat and legs of riding 
breeches, usually of same material, or, occasionally, of leather. 
Saddle seam — a s. sewn as saddlers sew leather, with edges 
turned outwardly. 

Sadra — the sacred surplice worn by Parsees of both sexes from 
the age of seven ; emblematic of the coat of mail worn in ancient 
times by the Guebers to ward off the attacks of the evil spirit 
Ahriman. 

Safety-pin — our first acquaintance with hardware. 
Safety razor — a scraping apparatus for the timid and thin- 
skinned. 



Sag 211 San 

Sag — to lose shape, give way, bag, pull, etc. 
Sagathy — an obsolete woolen stuff famed for durability. 
Sahara buck — African deerskin glove leather. 
Sail cloth — a sort of canvas once popular for stiffening the fronts 
of coats. 

Sailmaker's palm — a variety of mitten or glove used by sail- 
makers and others in sewing canvas and heavy fabrics; com- 
monly a band of sole leather, fitting around the broad part of the 
hand, with a thumb-stall, and having a metal thimble attacht to 
the inner side or palm. 

Sailor collar — a c. narrow at the front of the neck, reaching back 
in straight lines over the shoulders and cut straight across at 
right angles about half way of the shoulder blades, usually as 
part of a blouse worn by sailors and children; name also given 
to a detachable linen c. (or of other material) of similar shape, 
worn by children. 

Sailor knot — said of a cravat tied as a fourinhand, but with the k. 
drawn tight. 

Sailor suit — a s. for small boys, consisting of a sailor blouse and 
knee pants. Compare Middy s. 
Sailor's blouse — see Naval overshirt. 

Sailor's trousers — similar to ordinary t., except that they are 
made with front falls (qv) and made to bell or flare out at the 
bottoms ; usually with laced back. Also called gun-mouthed t. 
St. Crispin — patron saint of shoemakers. 

St. Kilda — a variety of Scotch tweed (from a town of that name) . 
Sakcorb studs — see Boot s. 

Sakkos — a tight-fitting garment, symbolizing the seamless robe 
of Christ, worn by Greek metropolitans and Russian bishops. 
Saleslady — cause of agitation or awe to a masculin customer. 
Salesman — an individual deserving of a scientific commission to 
study his peculiarities. 
Sallet — a variety of helmet. 

Saltaire — a manufacturing town in England, founded by Sir 
Titus Salt, a celebrated cloth factor and the discoverer of alpaca. 
Sample — a tiny bit of cloth seldom of sufficient size to show a 
complete pattern; a specimen of any article or material. 
Sample book — a b. containing numbered swatches of cloths, often 
with fashion plates, and frequently platitudinous eulogistic rho- 
domontades. 

Sample trunk — the drummer's excess baggage. 
Sanatory — the Dr. Jaeger spelling of sanitary. See Sanitary wool. 
Sandal — (i) a kind of shoe, consisting usually of a sole only, of 
leather or other material, but sometimes with a shield for the 
heel and a cap for the toes, held to the foot by thongs, cords, 



San 212 Sas 

etc.; (2) a light, fancy slipper; (3) a light, low-cut rubber over- 
shoe. 

Sandalwood — a peculiarly sensuous, aromatic, oriental perfume 
distilled from the essential oil of santal (which has also certain 
pronounced medicinal properties). 
Sandbag — used by footpads for love taps and lucre. 
Sandown — a frock overcoat; a sort of Newmarket (qv). 
Sandpapering — in shoe making, the act or operation of "scour- 
ing" or sandpapering the bottoms of shoes by means of a roll 
covered with sandpaper which is rapidly revolved by power, 
scouring off the surface of the outer sole as one of the preliminary 
operations for final finishing of the bottom of a shoe. 
Sandwich brim — trade term for straw hats having brims of two 
or more kinds of braid or with an inlay or edging of different 
color. 

Sanitary wool — a profit-making name for natural w. undergar- 
ments. 

Sans culotte — literally, a man without breeches; particularly, 
an anarchist or demagog; loosely, a tatterdemalian. 
Saranac — general term for buckskin and other leather gloves, 
tanned grain on, and having a yellow color. 

Sarcanet — a fine, thin silk fabric, woven by the Saracens origi- 
nally and much esteemed during the fifteenth to seventeenth cen- 
turies for its richness; probably dates to 13th century; more 
recently used for linings. 

Sarong — (1) a primitiv garment, consisting of a plain piece of 
cotton cloth wrapt around the hips and upper legs, worn by 
natives of the Indian archipelago and elsewhere ; (2) the printed 
cotton cloth sold therefor. 
Sarsenet — see Sarcanet. 
Sartor — a patcher, hence a tailor. 
Sartor resartus — the patcher patcht. 
Sartorial — pertaining to a tailor or the patching art. 
Sartorial solecism — (1) the wearing of any garment out of its 
proper place, at the wrong time or in an incorrect manner, as 
evening dress in the day time, colored linen with formal attire, 
etc.; (2) any violation of good form in matters of dress; (3) any 
exhibition of bad taste or lack of acquaintance with dress usages ; 
(4) any ostentatious display or vulgarity in manner, form or 
usage, as freak garments, an unconventional manner of wearing 
a garment, etc., (5) deficient in dignity. 

Sash — (1) an ornamental band, scarf, strip or belt worn around 
the waist or over the shoulder, as part of the costume and by mili- 
tary officers and others as badges of distinction ; (2) in Oriental 
countries a long band of fine material wound about the head to 
form a turban. 



Sas 213 - Sat 

Sash — (army) a long strip of silk trimmed with gold fringe, buff 
colored for general officers above the grade of brigadier generals, 
and by them worn across the body from right shoulder to the left 
side; of same for brigadier generals, and by them worn around 
the waist tied in a double bow; for chief of artillery, of scarlet 
silk, tied around the waist. 

Sashoon — a soft leather pad placed about the leg inside of a boot 
to protect the limb or aid the fit of the boot. 
Sassiety — a sassy bunch of upstarts. 

Satchel — a light handbag for small luggage ; a schoolboy's book 
bag. 

Sateen — a fine-thread, coarse twilled cotton cloth, of soft texture 
and glossy finish ; used for linings, night shirts, pajamas, etc. ; 
the heavier qualities used for corsets, shoe linings, etc. 
Satin — a silk fabric of a thick, close texture, with a smooth, glossy 
surface and dull back, produced by a method of weaving that 
reduces the number of crossings of filling and warp, the glossy 
face being obtained by finishing between hot rollers ; also made 
with a cotton back. 

Satin buttonhole — made as described under buttonhole making 
but using a fine silk twist and making close, even stitches; also 
known as fiat b. Contrast Gimp b. 

Satin damask — a s. with a rich flower or arabesque pattern, some- 
times raised in velvet pile. 

Satin de chine — a fine, soft silk fabric used for linings, etc. 
Satin de Lyon — s. with a croise or ribbed back. 
Satin delaine — a thin, glossy satin wove woolen cloth. 
Satin duchesse — a fine quality of s. of high luster and soft tex- 
ture, technically exprest as "8 leaf twill" — better see encyclo- 
pedia. 

Satin foulard — foulard s. with a lustrous satiny face. See Foulard. 
Satin merveilleux — a fine twilled, plain-dyed s. used for linings, 
women's wear, etc. See Merveilleux. 

Satin rhadame — an all-silk or silk-and-cotton lining and dress 
fabric, plain dyed, the face crost or broken by fine twilled lines 
extending diagonally across the web ; similar to surah but of 
stouter texture and more luster. See Rhadame. 
Satin stitch — a s. in embroidery, either flat or raised, repeated in 
parallel lines, producing a satiny appearance; used also in fine, 
handmade buttonholes. 

Satin surah — a variety of s. lining silk with a very smooth lus- 
trous face. See Surah. 

Satin Turk — a soft-finisht, s.-face, twilled-back silk material, used 
for waistcoats, linings, shoe tops, etc. Also called Turk's s. 
Satin weave — a smooth, glossy effect achieved by floating the 
filling (or warp) threads on the face of the fabric, afterward 



Sat 214 Sch 

slightly gigging, milling and finishing the face to effect a com- 
pact, lustrous fabric. 
Satine — see Sateen. 

Satinet — an inferior variety of cloth, woven, usually, of cotton 
warp and shoddy weft (which is mixt with enough long wool to 
enable it to be spun and woven in a way to bring the filling to 
the surface of the cloth), in manner known as 4-end twill, result- 
ing in a close satiny surface ; after weaving the cloth is fulled 
and often flockt to increase density and weight, next sheared 
and prest, and finally printed in checks, stripes, plaids, etc., in 
imitation of cassimere. 
Satinisco — satin of a cheap quality. 
Satiny — resembling satin. 
Satteen — incorrect. See Sateen. 

Saw edges — an ornamental finish given to collars, cuffs, etc., by 
the best laundry in town. 
Sawed-off pants — slang for knee breeches. 

Saxony — (1) a sort of tweed or fine cheviot, really or allegedly of 
fine Saxony wool ; (2) a long-napt, velour finisht cassimere or 
other soft finisht woolen fabric. 

Say — a light-weight, woolen fabric, similar to serge, used in 
Europe from nth to 18th centuries, for men's wear, afterward 
employed in this country until the fore half of the 19th century 
as a lining material, and for shirts, aprons, etc. 
Scads — a generic name for money in the West. 
Scallop — a 17th century collar or neck-band with scallopt edges. 
Scallopt — having a series of semi-circular projections or curves 
along an edge, for ornamental or other purposes. (Scalloped.) 
Scamped — made or finisht in a dishonest or indifferent and care- 
less manner. (Scampt preferable.) 
Scarf — a cravat. 

Scarf fastener — a device, of gold or other metal, often orna- 
mental, for securing a cravat against slipping or loosening, at- 
taching to the shirt bosom that the scarf may not ride up on one's 
collar. 

Scarf pin — an ornamental p., of gold, silver, etc., for wear with 
fourinhand and ascot cravats, often expensivly set with jewels. 
Commendable if used for fastening a cravat; condemnable if 
used for ostentation. 
Scarf retainer — see S. fastener. 

Scarf-ring — a flattened r., in one piece, or with a hinged pin, or 
hinged and with a spike on the inner side of the back part, thru 
which a scarf (as the De Joinville [qv] is drawn). 
Scarrings — see Cravatings. 

Schappe — general term for materials made of spun sik in the 
gum, i. e., the damaged cocoons and waste products from reeling. 



Sch 215 Scr 

Schmaschen — leather for gloves made from the skins of still-born 
kids and lambs ; more freely, any inferior glove leather. 
School bag — ever hide one to play hooky? 

School suit — trade term for boys' suits of stout fabrics and stout 
construction to withstand as much grief as possible, and also 
sufficiently low-price as not to be a matter of remorse when the 
inevitable tears and smudgings come. 

Schooner pants — trousers made with spring or flaring bottoms, 
after sailor fashion. 

Scimitar — a deeply curved, one-edged sword of Oriental coun J 
tries. 

Scotch edge — term used to designate the degree to which the 
outer sole of a shoe is extended beyond the upper sole where it 
joins the outer sole. "Full Scotch" designates a very wide ex- 
tension, and in varying degree. Half s., quarter s., close e. de- 
scribing the narrower degrees of extension. 

Scotch finish — the close sheared or melton finish given to certain 
heavy woolen cloths; a result of gigging or napping woolen' 
goods in imitation of melton. Compare Bareface f., Velvet f., 
Dress faced. 

Scotch knit — used mostly in connection with woolen mittens or 
gloves knit, by hand or machine, in Scotch patterns or color- 
effects. 

Scotch mixtures — hard to describe; if you don't know ask a 
woolen house for samples. 

Scotch tweed — the official definition proposed by the South of 
Scotland Chamber of Commerce is "an all wool cloth made in 
Scotland from wool spun in Scotland", to distinguish from sim- 
ilar goods made, either wholly or in part, elsewhere. 
Scoured wool — term applied to tub-washt wool-fleece thoroly 
cleansed with warm water and soap and rinsed in cold water; 
ready for manufacture. 

Scouring — a washing operation by which the grease and dirt is 
removed from the fleece. See above. 

Scouring — see Sandpapering. This (shoemaking) term also ap- 
plies to finishing the heels, the surfaces of which are sandpapered 
or scoured before final operations are completed. 
Scouring ball — soap mixt with various detergents as oxgall, full- 
ers' earth, infusolial silica, etc., for removing grease, etc., from 
cloths. 

Scout's uniform — (army) same as for enlisted men of the corre- 
sponding arm of the service with distinguishing insignia. 
Scraper — an implement of metal, stone, bone or other material 
used in dressing hides. 
Scrappers — see Barefoot sandals. 
Scratch — see Wig. 



Scr 216 Sea 

Scrim — a thin, plain, open-woven material used largely as an in- 
terlining; a sort of cheesecloth. 
Scuff — in New England, a light shoe or slipper. 
Scuffed — said of leather abraded by rough usage. (Scuft.) 

Scutching — in linen manufacturing the process of dressing the 
raw flax by beating, separating therefrom all woody and foreign 
matter; in cotton manufacture, the process of separating the 
fibers after cleansing and loosening by the picker preparatory to 
carding; in silk manufacturing the process of arranging the floss 
and refuse preparatory to carding. 

Scye — tailoring term for the arm-hole of a garment. 
Scye depth — an imaginary line drawn entirely around the body 
at the lower level of the arm scye, as from nape to opposit arm- 
pit on back seam. 

Scye measure — the circumference of the armhole. Compare 
Closing m. 

Sea Island — general term for cotton grown on the islands off the 
Georgia, Florida, South Carolina and Texas coasts; having a 
fiber of uncommon length, fineness and silky luster. 
Seal — an aquatic animal, the pelts of which are highly prized in 
the manufacture of fur garments, fur caps, etc. ; and the leather 
in the manufacture of pocketbooks, belts, traveling bags, shoes, 
etc. 

Seal ring — a finger r. with a bezel usually of precious stone, en- 
graved with symbol, arms or monogram, and used as a seal ; a 
signet r. ; anciently an emblem of authority, used to stamp docu- 
ments in place of signature, or its temporary investment in an- 
other person gave the power to cut a throat or scuttle a ship or 
engage in other pleasantries. 

Seam — any place where two parts of a garment are sewed or 
joined together; a "join". Seams are principally known as plain 
s., cord s., double-stitcht s., lap s., swelled s., welt s., raw s., strap 
s., cemented s., braided s., piped s., strapt s., raised s., serged s., 
open welt s., etc., which see elsewhere. 

Seam press stand — a long, narrow ironing board or stand for 
pressing seams. 

Seaman's shirt — see Naval overshirt. 
Seaman's trousers — see Naval t. 

Seamed back — tailor's term for coats made with a center seam 
in the back. Compare Whole b. 

Seamen's uniforms — see Dress, Undress, Working ; also variants. 
Seamless — knitting term for hosiery made on a circular knitting 
frame and having a seam only at the toe, extra shaping, when re- 
quired, being effected by steam-shrinking. Compare Full regular. 



Sea 217 Sel 

Seasoning — a process in leather manufacturing following that of 
perching and prior to that of polishing; often repeated after first 
polishing. 

Seat — tailor's term for measurement taken around that promi- 
nent part of a man's anatomy known as chair-warmer. 
Seat wheeling — see Heel s. w. 

Second mourning — black relieved by white ; or dark gray. 
Seconds — imperfect goods. 
Seconds — see Wool. 

Section work — tailoring term meaning made entirely by opera- 
tors on machines, each operator doing a certain detail or part of 
the work and then passing it along to another who does some- 
thing else; no hand tailoring enters into this process, which is 
employed almost exclusivly for the less expensiv grades of 
readymade clothing and by cheap tailors. Also called Hand-to- 
hand made. 

Sedan beaver — a fine grade of b, cloth made in Sedan, France. 
Seedy — needing refurbishing. 

Seersucker — originally a thin linen fabric like gingham ; now sim- 
ply cotton gingham with or without alternate crinkled stripes 
effected in weaving by varying the tension of the warp yarns; 
usually in two-color effects, as blue and white. 
Selby — an apron for four-in-hand or tandem driving, strapt 
around the waist, reaching to ankle when standing; named after 
Jem Selby, a well-known professional whip tooling four-in-hand 
between London and Brighton. 

Selby coat — a short, very full and boxy, double-breasted top-c. 
for driving. 

Self-acting rubbers — trade term for rubber overshoes having a 
small projecting point at the back of the heel, by means of which, 
held down by the other foot, each (over) shoe may be easily re- 
moved. 

Self collar — tailor's term for a c* made of the same goods as body 
of garment. 

Self -figured — a figured pattern achieved in the loom ; not printed ; 
generally used in connection with solid-color fabrics. 
Self measurement — any scheme or method for ascertaining the 
sizes of garments, etc., ordered by mail, sometimes possible 
alone, but as often requiring assistance. 

Self shank — trade term for buttons with a laterally pierced s., as 
in pearl, or more loosely, a cloth s., as in covered buttons. 
Selling sample — any length of goods or any garment or article 
from which orders are taken. 
Selvage — the web edge of a fabric ; list. 
Selvedge — same as Selvage. 



Sem 218 Ser 

Semi-clerical sack coat — the ordinary single-breasted, square- 
cornered s. c. ; usually worn with clerical waistcoat. 
Semi-dress — informal d. 

Semi-fitting — neither close nor loose; partly shaped. 
Semi-frock — the cutaway or morning coat. 
Semi-precious stone — valuable, but not sufficiently so to be 
clast as a true gem. 

Semi-ready — proprietary term for readymade clothing pro- 
vided with ample outlets at necessary places, sometimes left un- 
finisht at cuffs, and basted with a white thread in various places 
to give a partly finisht effect. Stores featuring this clothing when 
controlled by the parent company, are called semi-ready ward- 
robes, and are mostly located in Canada. 

Semi-staple — term descriptiv of men's wear, goods that are nei- 
ther wholly in the staple class (as are most plain weave, black 
and blue fabrics), nor yet may be clast as novelties, as are 
fancy weaves, bright colored patterns, etc., but comprising such 
goods as gray and brown shades in serges, diagonals, etc. 
Sennit — a peculiarly plaited straw braid showing serrated edges 
on one side; a straw hat of such braid; contraction of "seven- 
knitt". See Brab. 

Separable button — term usually applied to cuff b. mounted on a 
post to which a clip, screw or lever device permits attachment 
and detachment of the top or bottom parts, supposedly a con- 
venience for inserting in stiff linen. 
Separable stud — see S. button. 

Serape — a narrow blanket, usually brilliantly colored, worn over 
the shoulder or over a saddle. (Mexico, Spain, etc.) 
Serge — general name for twill woven fabrics. Suitings are usu- 
ally of worsted yarn and with a rather flattish, diagonal twill ; 
also made with worsted warp and wool filling; generally plain 
dyed. 

Serge — a lining material of cotton or linen warp and wool or 
mohair filling, woven three-leaf twill. 
Serge de berri — lasting (qv). 

Sergeant's uniform — see Full dress, Dress u., White u., Service 
u., Fatigue u. Also variants. 

Serged seams — in tailoring, the edges are basted or "serged" and 
the seam itself usually stitcht twice, first as a plain seam and then 
again thru both seam-edges, which are turned one way instead 
of prest open; mostly used on loosely woven fabrics. 
Sergedusoy — a coarse silk stuff of 18th century, used for men's 
coats and waistcoats. 

Serging — an overcasted stitch employed to hold ravelly edges of 
seams. See Serged seams. 
Seri-culture — silk culture. 



Ser 219 Ser 

Service belt — (army) see Army b. 

Service breeches — (army) for officers: of same material as s. 
coat, without stripe, welt or cord; cut loose about the seat and 
above the knees, fitting closely below the knee and extending to 
tops of shoes, fastening with tapes, laces or buttons ; for mounted 
officers the seat and legs re-enforced with same material ; for en- 
listed men: of olive-drab woolen or khaki-colored cotton mate- 
rial, to match s. coat; cut loose above knee and close fitting be- 
low, fastened with tapes or laces ; in general conforming to the 
pattern prescribed for officers ; for mounted use, with re-enforce- 
ment or saddle piece, of same material, on seat and legs. 
Service cap — (army) for officers: a regulation c. of olive-drab 
serge trimmed with a band of mohair braid, and with a drooping 
visor of black enameled leather, with chin strap of same ; worn 
with prescribed badge and with olive-drab uniform by all officers. 
Also the cotton khaki c. of similar model, but having a detach- 
able top and no band. For enlisted men: of olive-drab serge, 
conforming to corresponding c. for officers, but without the lus- 
trous braid. Also of cotton khaki, with detachable covers. 
Service chevron — (army) for enlisted men: a diagonal half-c. 
of cloth of the color of the corps, department or arm of serv- 
ice to which wearer is attacht, conferred for service in war, com- 
pleted periods of enlistment, etc. 

Service coat — (army) for officers: a single-breasted sack c. of 
olive-drab woolen or khaki-colored cotton material, made with 
4 outside choked-bellows pockets (2 above and 2 below), without 
plaits and with buttoned flaps, falling collar; fitting closely at 
waist and loosely at chest ; 5 bronze buttons ; in length reaching 
to one-third the distance to knee ; collar and shoulder ornaments 
as prescribed ; officers of general staff corps (except chief of staff) 
wear a band of y 2 inch black braid on sleeve, 3 inches from end ; 
for enlisted men : a single-breasted, straight-front sack c. of olive- 
drab woolen or khaki-colored cotton material, conforming in de- 
sign and cut to the service c. for officers, trimmed as prescribed. 
Service coat — (navy) for officers : a fly-front, close-meeting, sin- 
gle-breasted c. of dark blue cloth or serge, shaped to the figure, in 
length reaching to the crotch, with a slit or vent over each hip, 
and a plain standing collar, the collar, front and bottom edges, 
side seams and hip vents trimmed with wide silk braid, laid on 
flat, and beside which a narrow black silk braid is laid ; collar and 
sleeves ornamented with appropriate devices, marks, etc., accord- 
ing to rank. (Revenue cutter service) for all commissioned offi- 
cers, in general, the same as the service c. worn by naval officers. 
In warm weather a similar c. of white linen duck, trimmed with 
white linen braid. For non-commissioned officers, a similar c. 
without braiding ; or a white c. For masters-at-arms, a 5-button 
double-breasted c. of dark blue cloth with rolling collar; or of 
blue serge or flannel or white duck in warm weather. 



Ser 220 Set 

Service dress — (navy) uniform to be worn when "Uniform B." is 
prescribed on occasions of ceremony where officers of navy and 
army appear together, and at all times not otherwise provided 
for; consisting of, for all officers, service coat, undress trousers 
(white may be prescribed), blue cap (white cap or helmet shall 
be prescribed with white trousers or may be with blue.) 
Service dress — (revenue cutter service) for officers, blue or 
white service coat, blue or white trousers, blue or white cap, 
sword and black leather belt, white gloves except at sea. Sword 
and belt omitted on ordinary boarding duty. For non-commis- 
sioned officers, a similar uniform without sword or belt and with 
appropriate ornaments, etc. For seamen, white duck jumpers 
with wide collars and cuffs trimmed with dark blue flannel ; trou- 
sers of dark blue cloth, broadfalls style, laced behind ; or of white 
duck of same pattern; blue flannel undershirt, and other gar- 
ments, ornaments, etc., as prescribed. 

Service dress — (army) see S. uniform ; (marine corps) Field d. 
Service hat — (army) a soft felt h. of regulation pattern, of the 
color of the s. uniform, with a cord of gold bullion for general 
officers and of gold and black intermixt for all other officers; and 
for enlisted men: a soft felt h. of the color of the uniform, of 
regulation pattern, decorated as prescribed. 

Service trousers — (army) for officers, of same material as s. coat, 
without stripe, welt or cord. 

Service uniform — (army) (a) for habitual wear in garrisons, (b) 
for duty under arms in garrison unless otherwise prescribed, and 
(c) at drills (when prescribed), target practice, maneuvers, on 
marches and in the field. For all dismounted officers: (a) s. coat 
and trousers, s. cap, russet leather shoes ; (b) under arms, add s. 
belt, saber, drab leather gloves; (c) s. coat and breeches, russet 
leather shoes, leggings, s. hat, s. belt, drab leather gloves, saber, 
revolver; officers of signal corps wear russet leather shoulder belt 
with b. and c. when on duty requiring its use. For all mounted 
officers: (a) s. coat and breeches, s. cap, russet leather boots or 
russet leather shoes with leggings, spurs, drab leather gloves ; 
(b) under arms add s. belt and saber; (c) same as a. except s. hat 
and add revolver; shoulder belt for officers of signal corps when 
required ; for enlisted men, dismounted : (a) s. coat and breeches, 
s. cap, leggings, russet leather shoes ; (b) under arms add drab 
leather gloves, russet leather belt and cartridge box ; (c) s. coat 
and breeches, leggings, russet leather shoes, s. hat, field belt, drab 
leather gloves. Mounted : (a) s. coat and breeches, leggings, s. 
cap, russet leather shoes, drab leather gloves, spurs; (b) under 
arms add russet leather belt and cartridge box; (c) s. coat and 
breeches, s. hat, leggings, russet leather shoes, spurs, field belt, 
and drab leather gloves. 
Setting the twist — a finishing process in yarn spinning; the act 



Sew 221 Sha 

of steaming the rovings or twisted worsted yarn so that the twist 
shall become permanent. 

Sew-thru — trade term for buttons made with holes to sew thru. 
Compare Shank. 

Sewing machine — an invention that has made readymade apparel 
a prodigious commercial success. 

Sewing silk — a two-cord thread with a left-hand or reverse twist, 
so that as the needle goes thru the fabric the thread tightens. 
See also Machine twist and Buttonhole twist. 
Sewings — trade term for sewing silk, cotton and linen thread. 
Shabby — pretty well worn. 

Shabby-genteel — seedy ; of incomplete freshness or outworn f ash- 
ionableness of attire. 

Shackle — leg jewelry, not well thought of. 

Shad-belly coat — a name, drawn from the contour of the shad, 
for a c. of the pattern similar to that now known as a cutaway 
frock or morning c, but originally with standing collar and but- 
toning nearly or close to the neck. From the fact that Quakers 
preferred the shad-belly c. at a time when other styles were popu- 
lar, they received the nickname of shad-bellies. The term is still 
used occasionally, referring to the cutaway frock. 
Shaded — trade term for goods not running exactly alike, one 
piece with another of the same number; or varying in the same 
piece. Compare "Off color" and "Cloudy". 
Shadow check — in weaving, monotone effects of plain design. 
Shadow silk — changeable ; iridescent. See Changeant. 
Shadow stripe — an effect in cloth weaving showing a blended 
stripe pattern of rather darker or lighter shade than the body- 
color. 

Shadow weave — an effect achieved in the loom by alternate or 
regular repeats or duplications of the pattern in darker shades of 
yarn, giving the appearance of reflected shadows ; in some goods 
certain of the yarns are twisted in an opposit or reverse direc- 
tion, which, woven, assist in the shadow effect. 
Shag — a heavy woolen cloth with long nap, used for coats, over- 
coats, skirts, etc., when the country was young. 
Shagrine — an oldtime lining material. 
Shaker — see below. 

Shaker flannel — a plain woven white f., with a cotton warp and 
wool filling, well napt. 

Shaker goods — general term for fabrics, yarns, hosiery, etc., 
manufactured by the Shaker community, their most important 
manufacturing settlements being those in New York and Ohio. 
Shaker socks — originally a plain, heavy, woolen variety, in nat- 
ural color or blue mixt, latterly made with a ribbed leg and also 
so known. 



Sha 222 Sha 

Shako — a stiff, high military hat or cap with a peak in front and 
usually a pompon or a plume at the front part of the flat crown ; 
a high fur hat or cap resembling the so-called bearskin ; the glory 
of a drum-major. See Full dress cap (marine corps). 
Shalloon — a light, fine, close-woven, worsted or worsted-and-wool 
fabric, twilled on both sides, usually dyed in plain colors and em- 
ployed as a lining material, so called from Chalons, France, where 
first made. 

Sham vest — a narrow strip sewed inside the collar of a (livery) 
body-coat, usually of Valencia, extending beyond the collar about 
% inch. 

Shamoying — a process of dressing leather with oil and fatty sub- 
stances. 

Shammy — see Chamois. 

Shampoo — a vigorous cleansing of the hair, with soap and water 
or other adjuvants and much manipulation. 

Shamrock linen — a fine, thin, sheer handkerchief 1. resembling 
batiste, woven of I warp 1. and I warp fine sea island cotton 
alternating and with the same arrangement of weft. Also called 
pineapple cloth. See Thread-about. 

Shanghai — an old term for a tall, lanky dude, swell, or masher. 
(From Shanghai fowls, a long-legged variety introduced from 
China). 

Shank — that part of a shoe between the tread and the heel ; also 
the steel strengthening piece inserted therein. 
Shank — a metal or cloth projection on the underside of a button 
for sewing thru onto the cloth. 

Shankbone — a bone, properly the shankbone of a deer, used to 
"slicken" or smooth and lightly polish boots which are first 
drawn on trees, the rubbing of the bone on the surface of the 
leather imparting sufficient oil for a "finish". 
Shaps — see Chaparejos. 

Sharkskin — a name applied to a kind of rain-cloth having a round 
figure and a glossy back. 

Sharkskin serge — a fancy weave s., having some resemblance to 
chain weave s. 
Sharps — see Needle. 

Shaving mirror — a single or triplicate m. that may be adjusted to 
many angles ; a masculin luxury. 
Shaving mug — a cup for shaving soap and water. 
Shaving soap — a soft emollient luxury unknown to women ; sup- 
posed to be extra fine and "not to dry on face". 
Shaving stand — a piece of (masculin) furniture having mirrors, 
drawers, etc. 

Shaving stick — a form of shaving soap to be rubbed directly on 
the wetted bristles. 



Sha 223 She 

Shawknit — a proprietary term for stockings made in rights and 
lefts. 

Shawl — a square or oblong wrap of heavy cloth, plain or pat- 
terned, often fringed, worn in place of an overgarment; usually 
of fine, soft wool and woven with a long nap. 
Shawl collar — in tailoring, a c. embraced in plain curved lines, 
without a notch or step ; usually silk-faced when made on dinner 
jackets, self-faced when on waistcoats, or fur covered when on 
overcoats ; a rolling c. 

Shawl pattern — general term for designs taken from Oriental 
shawls. 

Shawl pin — a brooch used for fastening the shawls worn by (usu- 
ally elderly) men. 
Shawl roll — same as s. collar. 

Shawl strap — buckled leather straps, single or connected double 
with a handle, for carrying shawls, steamer rugs, parcels, etc. 
Shawl waistcoat — formerly a w. made of a shawl pattern; ma- 
terial usually woolen. 
She dragon — see Wig. 

Shears — exaggerated "scissors" used by clothing cutters. 
Shed — the opening or space between divisions of warp threads 
(or leaves) in weaving for the passage of the shuttle carrying 
the weft. 

Sheepskin — used, with the wool on, for lap robes, fur coats, 
gloves, etc. ; without the wool, for heavy working gloves, polish- 
ing leather, etc. 

Sheer — very fine, thin and delicate; gauzy. 

Shell — term given to winter overcoats that are lined thruout 
with fur, the cloth part of the garment being so called. 
Shell — see Tortoise; see Pearl. 
Shell bag — see Ammunition b. 
Shell carrier — see Cartridge belt. 
Shellalee — a disused spelling of shillelagh. 
Shells — the thin metal discs used in making covered buttons. 
Shepherd check — a name given to twill woven suitings, having 
a peculiar small black-and-white check pattern, achieved by six 
black and six white, repeatedly, both in the warp and filling di- 
rections. Sometimes other colors are used instead of black and 
white; and frequently a colored thread is used at intervals in 
either or both directions, for illumination. 
Shepherder — a 1907 variation of sombrero. 

Sherryvallies — overalls, formerly worn over trousers, to protect 
them from mud and dust when traveling. The word is probably 
a corruption of "chevalier". See Shorrevals. 
Shetland — very shaggy overcoating, named as some say after the 



Shi 224 Shi 

Shetland pony, the coat of which it is supposed to imitate in ap- 
pearance, or as others say from the coarse wool of the Shetland 
sheep from which it was first made, and which seems the more 
probable. 

Shield— a sort of fancy dicky or plastron worn with boys' sailor 
blouses. 

Shield bosom — a stiff shirt b. built up of two or more thicknesses 
of linen or other material of various fineness, made either in one 
piece or "open front". 

Shield bow — a b. tie without band, attacht to a shield which 
fastens by a loop to the collar button and engages the folds of the 
collar; worn only with turned-down collars. 
Shillalagh — ask an Irishman. 

Shin guard — a sort of shield of rattan reeds sewed into padded 
leather or canvas, worn around the leg by cricketers, football 
players, etc. 

Shingle — to cut the hair evenly short all over the head ; a "mon- 
key cut". 

Shipping clerk — the chap who makes you cuss a late delivery. 
Shirt — a garment worn between underwear and coat (or vest) ; 
specifically a sort of loose sack with sleeves and a plain front or 
with a plaited or shield bosom, usually made of fine cotton and 
linen fabrics, tho for neglige wear fine woolen and silk materials 
are also employed. Shirts with shield bosoms are commonly 
designated dress shirts (whether white or colored), the designa- 
tion evening or full dress s. distinguishing those entirely of white 
and particularly with a large full bosom. Bosom shirts are usu- 
ally made (1) open front, (2) closed front with open back, (3) 
open front and back, (4) open front coat style, while those with 
plaited or plain soft fronts are usually made open front coat style. 
All varieties are made with and without attacht cuffs and white 
full dress shirts often with attacht collars. All of which, and 
more, too, you doubtless knew. 

Shirt bosom — a sort of bill board for vulgarians to bedeck with 
diamonds. 

Shirt coat — a windproof, dust proof and waterproof "slip-on" 
overgarment for motor wear, made (somewhat like a poncho) 
without a front opening, but having an elastic rubber yoke (thru 
which the head is past) closely encircling the neck, and sleeves 
provided with wind shields. 

Shirt collar — any c, separate or attacht, worn with a shirt, gen- 
erally known as standing, wing, laydown, folded etc. 
Shirt cuffs — memorandum tablets. 

Shirt frill — the ruffle once worn on shirt bosoms, the decadence 
of which is seriously to be regretted. 
Shirt front — a separate bosom or dicky. 



£^ 225 Sho 

Shirt pin — begemmed bravura now obsolete. 
Shirt protector — a sort of muffler, generally shaped, for the pro- 
tection of dress shirts against dust and ditto the chest of the 
wearer from colds, etc. 

Shirt stud — a button-like sort of fastener for open bosoms, usu- 
ally of gold with or without settings of precious stones ; a similar 
article for closed bosom shirts usually mounted on a spiral or 
screw or separable post, by which it is inserted. 
Shirting — general term for linen and cotton cloths intended for 
men's shirts; usually woven tighter, singed closer and more 
heavily calendered than when intended for other uses. 
Shirting flannel — general term for a large variety of plain and 
twill woven light weight soft wool fabrics suitable for outing 
shirts, etc. 

Shirtwaist — a test of masculin fortitude during the summer of 
1901 and a while after. 
Shirtwaist suspenders — see Invisible s. 
Shirty — slang for your state of mind when angry. 
Shoddy — cloth made from cheap yarns spun over cotton warp; 
these yarns are spun from old woolen rags chopt into waste, then 
carded and spun into threads of various sizes and strength. The 
cloth is soft, nicely finisht, attractiv in appearance and compara- 
tivly free from imperfections ; it can be woven into patterns simi- 
lar to those of the most expensiv woolens, and is a very cheap 
fabric, often as low as 30c to 15c a yard, and a larger yardage is 
consumed than of any other kind of goods manufactured for 
men's wear. 

Shoddy — (adj.) of poor quality; trashy; not genuine. 
Shoe — an outer covering or dress for the human foot, usually 
distinguisht from a boot (qv) by not reaching above the ankle, 
commonly made of leather. 

Shoe — the base or bottom part of a collar button. 
Shoe brush — a brush for cleaning or polishing shoes ; any of vari- 
ous models, some having daubers and handles attacht. 
Shoe buckle — a b. for fastening a shoe by a strap across the in- 
step, or one worn only for ornament. 

Shoe button — a small b. that, before the era of patent fasteners, 
had a habit of dropping off in public, and which still is unable to 
keep perpetually black. 
Shoe buttoner — see button hook. 

Shoe horn — a curved metal device, not unlike a surgeon's specu- 
lum, for helping tight shoes onto the foot. 
Shoe lace — a fastening that always breaks in public places. 
Shoe leather — slang for shoes. 
Shoe names — generally those coined, fancy names applied to 



Sho 226 Sho 

lasts of peculiar shape with peculiar styles of toes ; usually of no 
permanency or value. 

Shoe pack — a shoe made like an Indian moccasin, usually of white, 
oil tanned stock, and formerly worn extensivly in winter in the 
northern lumber states, but now in limited demand by western 
farmers during harvest ; known since revolutionary times. 
Shoe peg — a small tack or nail of wood or metal used for fasten- 
ing soles to uppers. 

Shoe plate — a triangular device of steel affixt to the toe or heel 
of a s., or both (as of a baseball s.), the ends of which are bent at 
right angles to the foot, serving to give a firm footing when run- 
ning, pitching, etc. 
Shoe pull — see Heel strap. 

Shoe scraper — an iron contrivance once prominent at the side of 
the steps to a house, used for scraping dirt from the shoes before 
entering. 

Shoe strings — s. laces. 
Shoe tie — a s. lace. 

Shoe tree — a wooden form for keeping shoes in shape. See Tree. 
Shoemaker's wax — a mixture of pitch and tallow (highly prized 
by schoolboys for sticking on the teacher's chair). 
Shoestring — a long, narrow black silk necktie. 
Shoestrut — a hose supporter for men, made of spring steel wire, 
attaching to the top of the shoe and the top of the stocking and 
so worn in an upright position. 

Shootin'-iron — the "weepon" for which hip-pockets were in- 
vented. 

Shooting coat — a sack c. or jacket of corduroy, duck, etc., with 
deep, capacious pockets, worn by sportsmen. 
Shooting hat — a low crowned soft h. of corduroy or mackinaw 
cloth, with a brim that turns up or down behind. 
Shooting hose — same as golf h. (qv). 
Shooting jacket — see S. coat. 
Shop — store. 

Shop-assistant — English term for what we call salesclerk and 
salesman. 

Shop board — the table that journeymen tailors work upon. 
Shop cap — commonly, a flat topt, straight-sided c. with a peak, 
usually of cheap cotton material. 

Shop-made — general trade term for garments and other articles 
made in a shop where modern machinery and labor saving meth- 
ods are in use — as, for illustration, garments made in a modern 
factory instead of by highly paid journeymen. Compare Made. 
Shopkeeper — a retail merchant, commonly with but small busi- 
ness. 
Shoplifter — just plain thief. 



Sho 22.7 Sho 

Shopper — a spy in the employ of a rival merchant. 
Shopping — "just looking." 

Shopworn — soiled, frayed, rubbed, scuft, barkt, nickt, etc., by 
handling, dust, accident, etc. 

Shorrevals — a sort of pantaloon or legging worn on horseback as 
a protection against mud, over the trousers or breeches, button- 
ing on the outside of the leg; obsolete. See Sherryvallies. 
Short clothes — a graduation step from the long dresses of early 
infancy. 

Short clothes — the knee breeches of the last and preceding cen- 
tury. 

Short collar — tailoring term for a c. put on too short for the 
gorge of a coat and consequently tight. 

Short fly — in tailoring a defect in trousers-making, having a peni- 
tential effect upon the wearer. 

Short hose — a stocking reaching nearly to the knee, worn by 
children; the short stocking of the Scotch highlanders. 
Short measures — general term for those systems of tailors' meas- 
urements embracing everything comprehended by the long m. 
systems, but which are divided, in the taking, into two or more 
separate measurements and also including measurements which 
zealots of other systems declare redundant. Compare Long m. 
and Superlativ m. 

Short roll — high buttoning; the reverse of long r. (qv). (Tailor- 
ing term.) 

Short sleeves — general term for undergarments with sleeves 
reaching to the elbow, or shorter. 
Short staple — short fiber, as cotton, wool, etc. (qv). 
Short stout — clothing trade term for readymade garments de- 
signed to fit corpulent persons of less than average hight. Com- 
pare S. and Extra s. 
Short vamp — see Long v. 

Short wool — fine fleece 2 to 4 inches long. See Wool. 
Shorts — early familiar term for knee breeches in contradistinc- 
tion to long trousers. Compare Longs. See Short clothes. 
Shot — (1) textil term for a changeable effect produced by the 
use of warp threads of one color and weft of another, producing 
a changeable color effect. See Changeant. (2) Also a textil 
term for seeded effects, produced usually by a brilliant thread 
(as silk in a woolen fabric) appearing at close intervals over the 
face of the goods. 

Shoulder belt — a b. passing over one shoulder and about the body 
on the opposit side ; worn as a badge or regalia, or to sustain a 
weapon, pouch, etc. ; a baldric, bandolier, sword b., etc. 
Shoulder belts — (army) worn with full dress by officers of the 
signal corps ; for chief signal officer, of red russia leather having 



Sho 228 Shr 

3 stripes of gold embroidery and field-glass case attacht; other 
officers, a b. corresponding to their waist b., with field-glass case 
attacht. 

Shoulder cape — loosely, any short or small c, whether worn as a 
separate garment or attacht to an overcoat. 

Shoulder closer — in clothing manufacture, a workman who sews 
up the shoulder seams of coats. 

Shoulder form — a coat hanger or display fixture conforming to 
the shoulders of a coat. 

Shoulder holster — a revolver h. with a breast and shoulder strap, 
worn under the coat on the left side. 

Shoulder knot — a braided ornamental k. of gold lace worn on 
the shoulder in lieu of strap and epaulet, indicating rank, worn 
by commissioned officers only; a kind of epaulet without fringe. 
Shoulder mark — a strip of cloth about 2^x5 inches, pointed at 
one end, worn by officers in the navy, distinguishing their rank 
according to the style and manner of braid and other ornament. 
Shoulder measure method — one of various systems of garment 
measurement. (Tailoring.) 

Shoulder piece — (1) a piece over the shoulder joining the front 
and back of a garment ; (2) a shoulder strap ; (3) armor protect- 
ing the shoulders. 
Shoulder pitch — see S. point. 

Shoulder point — where the forepart and backpart (of a coat) 
meet and are seamed at the shoulder, particularly the crest there- 
of; a term in tailor's measurements. 

Shoulder stick — a shoemaker's tool for "setting" the edges of 
soles and heels. 

Shoulder strap — a s. of cloth edged with gold lace and bearing 
certain insignia, indicating rank, etc., worn by commissioned 
officers in the army and navy. See Regulations for specific in- 
formation. 

Shoulder strap — see Tourist s. 

Shovel hat — a low, round-crowned, felt h. with a plain flat brim 
which is longer in front and behind than at the sides and droops 
slightly; worn by Roman and Anglican clerics, the latter much 
modified ; the name derived from its appearance. 
Show card — a window sign ; a study in still li — es. 
Show off — an inborn predilection for displaying new clothes, 
jewels, accomplishments, etc. 

Show window — a place where goods are displayed, to be damaged 
by the sun, for the purpose of supplying occasions for reduced 
prices in "bargain sales". 
Shower coat — a raincoat. 

Shrink — general term for (1) the process of reducing or contract- 
ing the length and width of fabrics by means of steam, cold 



Shr 229 Sil 

water, etc., so that when fashioned into or used as part of any 
garment or article of apparel, there will be no further appre- 
ciable loss; also called sponging (see Sponge) ; (2) to lose in size 
in laundering or use ; (3) to contract any particular spot or por- 
tion of a garment or article of apparel, for purposes of shapeli- 
ness, fit or style, by means of a hot iron and water. 
Shroud — the last garment we wear; one that the wearer never 
hurries the maker to complete. 

Shushine — proprietary name for a preparation for polishing shoes. 
Siberian dog — the fur of a species of dog or wolf found in Si- 
beria; resembles that of a fox in texture. Used for coats, caps, 
etc. 

Sicilian — a plain-woven mohair fabric. See Mohair. 
Side-body — tailor's term for a part of a frock coat, stopping at 
arm scye and at waist, connecting forepart with backpart. 
Side-buckle trousers — t. buckled at each side of the waist in- 
stead of behind, the straps and buckle being smaller than on back- 
buckled trousers. 

Side edge — a sort of ornamental welt, placket or rever inserted 
into the plait seam of the (skirt-) back of skirted uniform and 
livery coats, variously shaped but usually contrived with 3 points, 
upon each of which a button is set. 

Side leather — a shoemaking term applied to upper leathers made 
from cow hides which have been split down the backbone, a 
whole hide making two sides when so split; a term distinguish- 
ing certain class of upper 1. as compared with calf 1. 
Side of neck — old name for shoulder point (qv). 
Side pocket — the principal trousers p. with opening thru the side 
seam of trousers. Compare Top p. 

Side pocket — a curious name given to a drinking saloon in an 
out-of-the-way place; a resort for thieves. 
Side prick stitch — same as prick s. (qv) — so called from the way 
the s. is placed. See also Pricking back s. 

Side stitch — made similarly to the prick s., the stitches, how- 
ever, being laid just at the side of where the needle came thru. 
Employed for especial neatness and firmness. 
Side tabs — trade term for standing shirt collars with small flaps 
on each side, beneath which the scarf is held and prevented from 
"riding". 

Sideburns— vernacular for short side-whiskers. 
Signet ring — see Seal r. 

Silesia — a light, stout, closely woven, fine-twilled, calendered cot- 
ton material used for linings. 

Silesia seam — a strong s. finish employed in making garments of 
fabrics that are liable to slip or pull apart or that have little 



Sil 230 Sil 

strength, specifically a strip of silesia laid under a seam and 
stitcht to same on both sides. 

Silk — too exhaustiv for this book ; you know what it is, or ought 
to, for it has been used since 3400 B. C. See encyclopedia for 
lengthy treatise. 
Silk beaver — see Beaver. 

Silk braid — a fine, firm tape or b. used by tailors for binding 
edges of garments, etc., woven fairly close but flexible, of various 
widths, denominated "lignes", and also, according to purposes 
for which designed, known as flat-b., half-and-half-b., trouser-b., 
etc. 

Silk braid button — a b. made on a wooden or metal mold covered 
with silk braid, used on dress coats, waistcoats and overcoats. 
Silk hat — an uncomfortable piece of aristocratic ( ?) headgear 
having the faculty of elongating the tall and stunting the short, 
and a style of headdress perennially threatened with retirement, 
but which seems to be quite as cheerfuly ineradicable as dande- 
lions in a grass plot. 

Silk-mixt — wool, cotton, linen, etc., intermixt with silk in the 
yarn. 

Silk mixtures — trade name for worsted and woolen cloths, hav- 
ing decorativ threads of silk interspert in the weaving, or woven 
partly of yarns in which the silk threads are twisted. 
Silk-plated — a s. face on a cotton or wool body, as silk-p. hosiery. 
Silk stick — a piece of wood about 2^x12 inches, partly covered 
with cloth, used by tailors for holding sewing silk in such a way 
that it may readily be drawn out, a needleful at a time, without 
snarling. 

Silk stocking — epithet applied to aristocrats unexpectedly med- 
dling in politics or other affairs that do not ordinarily concern 
them. 

Silk tests — see Elasticity t., Flame t, Pure dye t., Weighted s. t., 
Cotton t., etc. 

Silker — Briticism for silk hat. 

Silkopolis — Paterson, N. J., where most of the domestic silk 
goods are manufactured. 

Silkworm — bombyx mori, attacus ricini, attacus cynthia, telea 
polyphemus, et al. — all of which probably tells you little more 
than you know. Encyclopedias are good investments — get one. 
Silvalin — a yarn or weaving material spun from a sort of paper 
obtained from wood, manufactured in Southern Germany. Prob- 
ably an incorrect spelling of Xylolin (qv). 

Silver fox — the most valuable of all fox furs. Single skins are 
often sold as high as $500. 

Silver gilt — (1) gilded silver; (2) spurious gilding of s. by means 
of a yellow lacquer. 



Sil 231 Siz 

Silver headed — getting along in years. 
Silver plated — baser metal coated or plated with s. 
Silver stick — same as gold s. 
Silver top — jocular for a gray haired person. 
Simitar — see Scimitar. 

Simulated cuff — in tailoring, a welt, plait or other imitation of a 
turned back c, on a coat sleeve. 

Singeing — the process of removing nap from the surface of 
fabrics by means of heat or flame. 

Single-breasted — fastened with a single row of buttons or other 
fastening and having but one thickness or leaf of the garment or 
fabric at the breast. Compare Double-breasted. 
Single-breasted cutaway — see C. frock coat and Frock coat. 
Single-breasted frock coat — (1) a f. c. made with full straight 
hanging skirts and unspliced foreparts; a "s.-b. Prince Albert"; 
(2) a cutaway f. c. See Frock c. 

Single-breasted Prince Albert — (a misnomer, the "Prince 
Albert", so-called, being strictly a double-breasted frock) ; except 
for a single row of buttons, of the same general style as the 
double-breasted or P. A. frock. 
Single-breasted sack coat — see Sack c. 

Single crepe — a black silk c, less crinkly and softer than double 
c. (qv) ; used for light mourning. See Crepe. 
Single cuff — (1) an imitation coat sleeve c. ; (2) an unfolded 
shirt c. Compare Double c. 
Single soled — having but one sole; cheap; poor. 
Single-stitcht — tailor's term for an edge finish obtained by stitch- 
ing on machine at a stated distance from the actual edge (as 
"1-16 in. s. s.") the edges having first been joined and turned. 
Single-stitcht seam — see Cord s. 

Single warp — a term used (1) in reference to yarns, meaning that 
the warp threads are single and not two or more ply; also (2) 
in connection with fabric construction indicating a single system 
of warp threads with, say, a double system of weft or filling 
threads. 

Singles — reeled filaments of raw silk twisted for firmness but not 
doubled. 

Singlestick — a light ash rod or stick, used as a substitute for the 
sword in fencing exercises. 

Singlet — (1) an aboriginal waistcloth ; (2) an undershirt; (3) 
an unlined waistcoat similar to a doublet. 

Sir Knight's coat — (Masonic) a single-breasted frock c. of black 
cloth, with standing military collar, the front closing with 11 
buttons. Compare Commander's c. and Fatigue blouse. 
Sissy — opposit of tomboy. 
Size — a unit of measurement. 



Siz 232 Ski 

Size — to size up; to form an opinion concerning a person or 
thing, the equivalent of to take one's measure. 
Size stick — a shoe dealer's foot measure. 
Size strap — a foot measuring tape used by shoe dealers. 
Size ticket — a small, square paper ticket with a big size number 
sewed or pinned to the tail of a coat — which the customer some- 
times is allowed to wear away to show that he is a readymade 
man. 

Sizes — trade term for an assortment or range of sizes and shapes. 
Sizes — in the readymade clothing trade garments are classified 
as regular, long, stout, slim, short-stout, corpulent, extra-stout, 
long-stout, long-slim, etc., indicating normal proportions and 
variations thereof; all of which see. 

Sizing — (1) the process of strengthening warp yarns by means 
of a gummy preparation to enable them to withstand the weav- 
ing process without chafing or breaking; (2) a finishing opera- 
tion, similarly achieved, applied to certain grades of cotton, linen 
or silk fabrics for purposes of fictitious weight and appearance. 
See Glaze and Washable. 

Sizing — a process in hat manufacture where the hat, still in the 
large cone as delivered from the forming department, is carefully 
shrunken by continual rolling, sqeezing, dipping in hot water, 
etc., until reduced or fitted to its proper size, but still retaining 
the cone shape. 

Sizy — overloaded with dressing. 

Skating cap — (1) a knitted toque; (2) a turban c. of fur or cloth. 
Skating jacket — a short, snug-fitting coat. 
Skating shoe — a soft, flexible s. of less than regular hight. 
Skean dhu — a Scottish highlander's knife, worn in the stocking 
when in clan costume. 

Skees — bed slats with footholds affording first-rate amusement 
to those fond of pitching head-first into snow banks. 
Skein — a certain quantity of yarn or thread, wound, doubled and 
knotted. Compare Hank. 

Skein dyes — trade term for fabrics dyed in the yarn before weav- 
ing. Compare Piece d., Ingrain d., Slub d., etc. 
Skeleton — term applied to a coat made without lining. 
Skeleton suit — a close-fitting s. of clothes, the jacket or vest 
having a series of buttons at the waist to which the trousers are 
attacht. 

Ski — see Skees. 

Skilts — a kind of short trousers worn by boys and farmhands in 
Colonial times; they reacht to just below the knee, were very 
broad in the legs, but fitted snugly at the waist, needing no brace 
to support them. 
Skimpt — done in a superficial or careless way. (Skimped.) 



Ski 233 Sle 

Skin (to) — trade term for leather with grain so tender that it 
peels or barks easily. 
Skin wool — see Pulled w. 

Skinner's — trade diminutiv for the general line of silk goods, es- 
pecially lining silks and satins, made by Wm. Skinner Mfg. Co. 
Skins — trade term for the hides of small animals, as sheep, goat, 
deer, etc., and for the lighter forms of leather. Compare Hides. 
Skirt — the lower or hanging part of a coat, shirt, etc. ; a peplum. 
Skirt pocket — any p. made in the skirts or tail-part of a coat. 
Skirt strap — a narrow band-like piece sewn to the waist seam 
of an evening dress coat, extending from the skirt (of which it 
is usually an integral part) to the front fore-edge. 
Skirted — a term applied to certain wool fleeces imported into the 
U. S. from which the head, belly and breech wool (inferior parts) 
have been removed, to avoid full effect of the tariff. 
Skirty — said of a coat with very full drapery. 
Skive — in shoemaking, the process of shaving or paring leathers 
for joints, etc. 

Skiver — (1) split leather; (2) a workman who burls edges of 
leather; (3) a machine for cutting counters and rands. 
Skull cap — a light c, without peak or brim; closely fitting the 
skull. 

Sky piece — slang for hat. 
Slanting pocket — a p. placed at an angle. 

Slash — a strip of tape, lace, braid, etc., worn on a non-commis- 
sioned officer's sleeve to distinguish him from a private. 
Slash pocket — see Slit p. 

Slasher — a machine for sizing and finishing warp yarn. 
Slasht — said of a garment as a doublet, having many decorativ 
slits underlaid or puft with fabric of different color. (Slashed.) 
Slater's — general term for standard flannels, uniform cloths, etc., 
made by S. Slater & Sons, Webster, Mass. 

Sleeping bag — a large b.-like receptacle used at night by ex- 
plorers, prospectors, campers, etc., usually of sheepskin with 
the wool on, waterproof duck, blanketing, etc., sometimes in 
combination with an air mattress, the individual creeping into 
it for warmth. 

Sleeping stockings — see Bed socks. 

Sleeping suit — a loose-fitting, one-piece, sleeping garment, usu- 
ally of canton flannel, or flannel, so fashioned as to cover the en- 
tire body except head and hands. 

Sleeve — that part of a coat, or shirt, or other garment, covering 
the arm. 

Sleeve buttons — in coat making, usually the same size as the 
waistcoat b, tho fashion is fickle. 



Sle 234 Sli 

Sleeve head — tailor's term for that part of a s. where a join 
is made with the shoulder ; if slightly puft or fulled on it is called 
full-headed (qv). 

Sleeve head seam — juncture of s. and body; the scye. 
Sleeve holder — a device for holding up or shortening one's shirt 
sleeves to allow of freedom for forearm and protect the s. from 
undue soiling or injury. 

Sleeve lining — (1) a fine quality of silesia with a lustrous face 
printed in fancy patterns, or with silk stripes, or both ; (2) a fine 
quality of cambric similarly illuminated ; (3) a light, thin silk. 
Sleeve protector — see Oversleeve. 

Sleeve ticket — a paper or paper-faced cotton-back ticket attacht 
to readymade coat sleeves having lot number, size and price 
marks printed thereon. 
Slender — see Slim. 
Slick up — to get drest. 
Slicker — a waterproof overcoat ; an oilskin. 
Slide — see String out. 
Sliders — overalls; term obsolete. 

Sliding pads — adjustable articles worn by base-stealers as protec- 
tion when making grand stand plays. 

Slim — clothing trade term for readymade garments designed to 
fit slenderly built persons with waists of less than normal meas- 
ure. Compare Long-slim. 

Slimsy — slightly made ; frail in build ; flimsy in texture. 
Sling — (1) a suspensory band for supporting an injured arm or 
leg; (2) an elementary article of apparel among savages; (3) a 
strap by means of which a rifle may be slung on the shoulders. 
Sling strap — an attachment to a sword belt to which the scab- 
bard is attacht. 

Slinks — in the old Irish glove trade, a name given to skins of 
unborn calves from parturient cows purposely slaughtered. 
Slip — an infant's dress. 
Slip — see String out. 
Slip collar — a detachable c. 

Slip-on — (1) a loose single-breasted sack overcoat, made without 
side seams; usually of waterproof material; (2) a raincoat; (3) a 
waterproof overcoat with skirts ample enough to cover saddle 
and legs. 

Slip-over — a loose overcoat. Same as Slip-on. 
Slip sole — a thin piece of sole leather placed between the outer s. 
and inner s. of a shoe to make the finisht edge of the bottom 
thicker. 

Slip stitch — a s. slipt over the next succeeding s. without catch- 
ing or knitting. See Drop-s. 



Sli 235 Slu 

Slipper — a low, light shoe, for indoor wear, into which (or out of 
which) the foot is easily slipt, fraught with boyish reminiscences. 
Slipper — a workman who removes the newly formed hat body 
from the cone. See Coning, Slipping, etc. 

Slipping — in hat making, the act of removing the body of a hat 
from the cone. 
Slipshod — down at the heel. 

Slit pocket — any p. without welt or flap. See Welt p., Flapt 
p., Jetted p., Raincoat p., etc. 

Slit welt — the felled or hemmed opening in the palm of a glove. 
Sliver — a soft, continuous rope or strand of wool, cotton or silk 
fibers, as obtained in the carding and combing processes. 
Slob — one who is untidy or slovenly in his personal appearance. 
Sloonly — badly attired ; slovenly drest. 

Slop shop — (English) a shop where sailor's readymade clothes, 
small wares, etc., are sold. 

Slope of shoulder measure — tailor's term for (1) the upper or 
strap measurement (qv) as taken by the long m. system and (2) 
the depth of scye m. as taken by the short m. system. See Over- 
shoulder m. 

Slops — English for readymade clothing of the cheaper grades 
and workingmen's jeans; up to and including the year 1903 ex- 
ports of clothing from the United Kingdom were officially classi- 
fied as "apparel and slops". In 16th century, a term applied pro- 
miscuously to all garments easily adjusted and imaginably un- 
gainly, neglige or slipshoddy. The word itself is derived from 
"slip". 

Slouch hat — any soft felt h. ; especially a fedora or alpine h. 
Slub — see Slubbing. 

Slub dyed — trade term for woolen and worsted fabrics woven of 
yarns dyed while still in the slub state. See Slubbing. Compare 
Skein d. and Piece d. 

Slubbing — a slightly twisted or badly twisted roll of wool ; also 
called slub and slubber. 

Slubbing machine — a machine for drawing out and slightly twist- 
ing carded wool; now superseded by improved devices attacht 
to wool-cards. 

Slug — an iron for heating hollow hat irons. 
Slug lugger — the youngster who carries the hot iron slug used 
for heating hatter's irons. 

Slugging — a process in shoemaking performed by a s. machine 
which drives in round the edges of the surface of the finisht heel 
rows of brass or iron nails called slugs. A wire is put thru the 
machine and this wire is automatically driven into the leather and 
cut off, having the effect of leaving in the leather brass or iron 
nails. 



Slu 236 Sna 

Slumber robe — undertaker's euphemism for shroud. 
Small — tailor's term for the hollow of the back at waistline 
(small-of-the-back) . 

Small arms — fire arms, carried in the hand, and fired from the 
hand or shoulder. 

Small-falls — see Narrow-f. and Front-f. 
Smalls — close-fitting knee-breeches. 
Smart — a dandy of 1760 or thereabout. 

Smart set — that element of our social organization that assumes 
to be better drest, better mannered, better financed and better in 
various other ways (not including morality) than the rest of us. 
Smock — a large apron covering the person, such as is worn by 
butchers. 

Smock frock — a yoked blouse or loose shirt of coarse linen or 
cotton, worn by field laborers (in Europe) over other clothes. 
Smock linen — a coarse, linen material for smocks. 
Smoke helmet — a protectiv head covering, similar to a diver's h., 
worn by firemen and supplied with air from a comprest air re- 
ceiver carried on the back. 
Smoked pearl — dark, cloudy. 

Smoked spectacles — s. with lenses of smoked glass. 
Smoking cap — broadly, any c. worn indoors while smoking, more 
specifically, a fancy velvet, silk or cloth c. similar to a fez (qv). 
Smoking jacket — any fancy coat for house (smoking) wear. 
Smoothing iron — see Goose. 
Smudge — to soil. 

Smuggler — a dealer in contraband merchandise ; an evader of 
customs duties; a fraudulent importer. 

Smut — a soiled or dirty condition as of soot, coal dust, ink 
smears, etc. 
Smutch — see Smudge. 
Snack basket — a lunch b. 
Snag — a broken tooth. 
Snail back — see Wig. 

Snail pearl — trade name for p. buttons, etc., in color, sometimes 
natural, but more often dyed, and usually dark blue or red. 
Snakeskin garters — worn in 18th century "to ward off cramps in 
the legs". 

Snap brim — a hat b., flat structurally, tighter around the outer 
circumference so that it may be tilted up or down in front, back or 
sides; name probably from a snapping sound made in effecting 
the desired tilt. 

Snap button — a self-locking b. for bachelors, widowers and men 
with negligent wives; especially useful when suspender buttons 
drop off. 



Sna 237 Soc 

Snaps — metal ball-and-socket clasps used on plackets, flies, 
gloves, etc. 
Snarled — tangled. 

Sneakers — slang for rubber soled shoes ; rubber heels ; overshoes. 
Snide — base, imitation, undesirable, fraudulent. 
Snip — an overdrest man; a coxcomb; a finical person. 
Snipe collar — tailor's term for a long and slender coat c. 
Snob — an imaginary somebody; read Thackeray for elucidativ 
treatis. 

Snob — a journeyman shoemaker; an old English usage which has 
well-nigh disappeared in the mother country, and is not much 
used in America, save in some parts of Massachusetts and Penn- 
sylvania. 

Snow — cant term for linen. 
Snow goggles — see below. 

Snow spectacles — (1) of various forms; commonly a slotted 
wood, celluloid or metal shield, contrived to permit vision while 
shutting off glare ; (2) more loosely, smoked glass s. 
Snow shoe — a sort of mammoth tennis racket affording easy 
means of suicide. 
Snub nose — broad and tip-tilted. 

Snuff box — a small b., often ornamental or costly, for snuff, car- 
ried in the pocket ; in very general use in the days of the dandies 
— when may it not be revived? 

Soap — a detergent — used for personal cleanliness, in the laundry, 
in wool preparation, mechanically, medicinally, and palaverously. 
Soap box — a small b., usually fancy, of celluloid, metal or other 
material, used principally by travelers for carrying their personal 
cakes of s. 

Soap-chalk — tailor's marking c. compounded of pigment and 
soap or wax so as to disappear under a hot iron or by agency of 
benzine. 

Soap shrunk — trade term relating to a process of contracting 
cloths and fabrics in soap and water, by which the maximum 
amount of shrinkage is obtained ; the best process for heavy cot- 
ton goods, as duck, canvas, etc. Compare Steam s., Cold water 
s., etc. 

Soap-stiff — tailor's term for work, as of hems on the bottoms of 
trousers, stiffened with soap instead of, as is common (with 
cheaper work) with rubber tissue. 

Soapstone — steatite or talc-rock, used as a marking-chalf on cloth. 
Social full dress — (revenue cutter service) worn by commissioned 
officers on occasions of strictly social nature, conforming in ma- 
terial, cut, etc., to the evening dress of the navy, differing prin- 
cipally in that the coat has 5 buttons on each breast instead of 3. 



Soc 238 Sol 

Society — broadly, the intercourse of people of self asserted su- 
periority, such as the new rich. 

Society man — useless in business ; good to sell clothes to. 
Sock — (1) a knit or woven foot covering, having a leg shorter 
than that of a stocking, a term much less euphonious than hose ; 
(2) the light shoe worn by comic actors in the Greek and Roman 
drama; (3) a warm insole; (4) a sandal or clog formerly worn 
by the Recollect friars. 

Sock lining — a piece of felt, cloth or leather, placed on the inside 
of a shoe at the heel ; used as a finishing method for covering up 
the ends of nails and tacks used for attaching the heels to the sole. 
Sock stick — in a lumber camp, a pronged s. or tree branch on 
which the workmen hang their clothes near the fire. 
Soft finishing — a process in hat manufacture whereby, after block- 
ing and drying, soft hats are adjusted on wooden blocks, pounced 
and finisht smooth, ironed and trimmed to exact sizes of brim. 
Soft front — a trade term for neglige shirts, more specifically those 
without plaits. 

Soft prest — but lightly gone over with the iron ; not creased. 
(Tailoring term.) Compare Hard p. (S. pressed.) 
Soft roll — tailoring term, most commonly applied to lapels and 
coat fronts, meaning not made or prest hard or stiff, but workt 
to turn or handle freely; or lightly prest for same end. 
Soie — French for silk. 

Soie ondee — a species of thrown silk. See Throwing. 
Soiled — ready to be "marked down". 

Soisette — proprietary name for a mercerized cotton cloth used for 
pajamas, outing shirts, etc. 

Solar tip — proprietary name for a make of children's shoes hav- 
ing heavy sole leather protectiv t. 

Sold out — trade term expressiv of being out of a certain line and 
unable to make further deliveries. 

Sold up — trade term expressiv of being in a condition to accept 
no more orders for delivery or manufacture. 

Soldiers' uniforms — see the various descriptions of army u. under 
Full dress, Dress u., White u., Service u., Fatigue u., etc. 
Sole — the bottom or walked-on part of a shoe or stocking. 
Sole scouring — one of the final processes in modern shoemaking, 
whereby all roughness of a s. is scoured off by holding against a 
machine having rolls covered with sandpaper. See Sandpapering. 
Sole leather — thick, heavy cowhide or other 1. used for soles. 
Sole plate — same as Heel p. 
Solid gold — 24 carats pure. 

Soliel — textil term for a shining, lustrous, finish on silk and 
woolen fabrics. 



Sol 239 Spe 

Solitaire — a ribbon of black silk tied loosely and worn around the 
neck, sometimes attacht to the bag of the wig and tuckt loosely 
into the front of the shirt (1760 or thereabout). 
Solitaire — a diamond ring marking a great event in a young 
man's life, afterward often becoming a commonplace happening 
in his relations with other men's wives. 

Sombrero — a broad-brimmed hat, usually of felt, common in 
Mexico and the Southwest; often lavishly ornamented with gold 
lace, etc. 

Sonabitch — a small imperial or goatee (qv). 
Sons of wax — humorous term for shoemakers. 
Sorting — the first process in woolen manufacture ; classifying the 
fibers of the fleece. 

Sorting kersey — one of the old names for kersey (qv). 
Sorts — trade term for sizes (qv), used specially when one is buy- 
ing to fill in the range. 

Sour — a chemical step or process in cotton and linen bleaching. 
Soupled — in silk throwing, having the external gluey covering 
removed by heating in an acid bath. 

Soutache braid — a narrow, roundish braid of the herring-bone 
variety, of silk, mohair, tinsel, etc.; used decorativly. 
South street — a street in Philadelphia well known for its numer- 
ous small, cheap clothing shops, tho of rather better flavor than 
Baxter s., N. Y. (qv) ; local synoym for cheap clothing. 
Southern ties — laced low shoes, slightly higher than Oxfords, 
similar to the Blucher model, but with the tops beginning far- 
ther back toward the sides of the foot. 

Sou'wester — a tarpaulin hat with a broad, drooping brim, es- 
pecially so behind to protect the neck. 
Sox — vulgar for half hose (qv). 

Spaced front — trade term for folded shirt collars more or less 
cut away in f., meeting or not meeting at point of fold. Com- 
pare Meeting folder. Term also applied to straight standing col- 
lars having an opening or space in f . 
Spanish cape — a semi-military c. 

Spanish linen — a strong, plain woven fabric of 1. warp and 
cotton filling, 27 inches wide. Said to be fast color, non-creas- 
able and washable without mildew; of weight suitable for office 
coats, shirts, pajamas, etc.; formerly made entirely by hand, but 
nowadays by machinery. 
Sparkler — diamond. 
Sparrowtails — see Swallowtail. 
Spat puttee — a p. legging covering the instep. 
Spats — overgaiters. 

Spatterdash — a sort of overgaiter or legging. 
Special full dress — (army) see Evening d. uniform. 



Spe 240 Spe 

Special full dress — (navy) worn on state occasions at home and 
abroad ; when receiving the President, any foreign ruler or mem- 
ber of royal family; at special ceremonies or entertainments; at 
general muster on first Sunday of every month ; receptions to 
ex-Presidents, to Vice President or Secretary of Navy. Consists 
of — for all commissioned officers, except chaplains, chief boat- 
swains, chief gunners, chief carpenters and chief sailmakers — 
special f. d. coat, f. d. trousers, cockt hat; epaulets, sword and 
f. d. belt, white gloves, medals and badges ; for the commissioned 
officers excepted above, and for warrant officers, mates and clerks, 
the same as "Undress A" ; for midshipmen, the same as "full 
dress"; (marine corps) worn on the same or similar occasions. 
Consists of — for major general commandment : f. d. coat, special 
f. d. or white trousers, chapeau, f. d. cap or white helmet, sash, 
sword, f. d. sword, belt and knot, epaulets, white standing col- 
lar, black shoes, white gloves (or, when mounted, dark blue rid- 
ing breeches, drab leather gloves, black boots with spurs) ; for 
all officers of the line : a similar uniform except that chapeau and 
sash belong to the higher rank, and that f. d. trousers are worn ; 
for staff officers : a uniform similar to that of the major general 
commandant excepting there is no sash and that shoulder knots 
and aigulets are worn instead of epaulets ; for leaders and all 
members of the band (to be worn on occasions of indoor func- 
tions at which the band has to play, or other special occasions 
when ordered) : special f. d. coat, special f. d. trousers, special 
f. d. cap, sword with f. d. sword knot and belt (leader only), 
shoulder knots (leader only), white gloves and black leather 
shoes. 

Special full dress cap — (marine corps) for leader of the band, of 
blue cloth, same pattern and style as f. d. cap of officers of the 
line. For second leader and musicians, of scarlet cloth, same 
model as f. d. cap of other enlisted men. 

Special full dress coat — (navy) for officers: a full-buttoned, 
double-breasted c. of dark blue cloth, lined with white silk serge, 
waist descending to top of the hip bone, the skirts commencing 
at about one-fourth of the circumference from the middle of the 
front edge and descending four-fifths of the distance from the 
hip bone to the knee with two large navy buttons on the waist 
behind and one near the bottom of each fold or plait; two rows 
of large navy buttons on the breast, 9 each ; standing collar with 
V opening; the collar and cuffs covered with gold lace, braid, 
bands of colored cloth, etc., as prescribed in regulations accord- 
ing to rank of officer, and with appropriate epaulets, etc. ; (marine 
corps) for leader of the band, a sack c. of scarlet cloth made after 
the same pattern as prescribed for first lieutenant marine corps, 
except no opening for sword ; the front edges, around bottom, 
vents and sleeves trimmed Avith 1% in. flat gold braid, backed 
with % in. gold tracing braid; collar similarly trimmed; gold 



Spe 241 Spe 

tubular braiding across breast in the same manner as prescribed 
for first lieutenant, with gold crochet buttons and olives ; seams 
between side body and backpart trimmed with 2 rows of gold 
tubular braid; other details as prescribed. For second leader of 
band, the same, except that the cuffs are trimmed with black 
mohair braid. For musicians of band, a flyfront sack c. of scar- 
let cloth, cut half-close, standing collar of black broadcloth piped 
with white, pointed cuffs ditto, shoulder straps ditto ; edges, bot- 
tom and vents trimmed with 1 in. black mohair braid backt 
with y% in. black mohair tracing braid, side body seams trimmed 
with black mohair tubular braid ; fronts trimmed with black mo- 
hair tubular braid, 5 across, terminating in frogs, olives, etc.; 
otherwise as prescribed. 

Special full dress trousers — (marine corps) for major general 
commandant, of dark blue cloth, cut with medium spring, side 
pockets, outseams trimmed with Ij4 i n - g°ld lace with a 3-16 in. 
scarlet silk stripe thru center ; for staff officers, the same without 
scarlet stripe; for line officers, of sky-blue cloth, outseams 
trimmed with iy 2 in. gold lace with edges of scarlet cloth welted 
Y^ in.; for leader of band, of dark blue cloth, the same as pre- 
scribed for staff officers, outseams trimmed with 1% in. flat gold 
braid. For second leader and musicians, the same except a 1 in. 
stripe of scarlet cloth down outer seams. 

Special patrolman's uniform — (New York) a double-breasted 
sack coat of gray cloth reaching halfway to knee, buttoning close 
to throat with 5 buttons, no outside pockets. Trousers to match 
with a red welt on outer seam. Overcoat, of same color, double- 
breasted sack style, reaching 3 inches below knee, closing with 
6 buttons (2 rows), with rolling collar. Cap, navy pattern of 
same color. In summer, uniform may be of gray flannel. 
Special sale — an advertising makeshift when goods move slowly 
or times are dull. 

Special uniforms — thruout the military and naval services of the 
United States, whenever on occasions of ceremony officers of 
these services are required to appear together in uniform, as pre- 
scribed under designations Uniform A, Uniform B, and Uniform 
C, which see. 

Specialty mark — (navy) an embroidered device forming a part 
of the rating badge (qv), indicating occupation of the wearer, as 
master at arms, boatswains mates, blacksmiths, yeomen, print- 
ers, etc. 

Specie bag — a medium-sized strong leather hand b., carried by 
bank messengers. 

Spectacle case — a c. for holding and protecting spectacles when 
not in use. See Eyeglass holder. 

Spectacles — a device for aiding eyesight — a pair of lenses attacht 
to a metal bridge and hinged bows, the latter usually curved to 



Spe 242 Spl 

hook around the ears, tho formerly made to clasp the temples ; 
the lenses sometimes enclosed in a frame or rim. 
Spence cotton — a variety of c. grown in India, having a strong, 
wiry staple of 1 to 1*4 inches in length, the "trees" producing it 
frequently attaining a hight of 6 to 7 feet. 

Spencer — a short, scant, top-coat not covering the undercoat, in- 
vented by Lord Spencer, about 1792, on a bet that he could set a 
fashion, wholly meaningless and unnecessary, that would be the 
vogue within six months. He then took shears and amputated 
the tails of the coat he was wearing and appeared in it on the 
street. Being a leader of fashion, the idiosyncrasy spread within 
a week and in a few months reached America. 
Spent tan — roughly ground tanbark from which the tannic acid 
has been extracted by infusion. 

Spick-and-span — new, fresh, clean, tidy; showing off one's glad 
rags. 

Spiff — clerk's slang for premium or bonus. 
Spinage — long whiskers. 

Spindle — (1) a slender rod in a spinning wheel carrying thread 
which is to be twisted arid wound on bobbins ; (2) a rod used in 
hand spinning on which is wound the thread from the distaff. 
Spinning — the process of drawing out and spinning textil fibers 
into thread, either by hand or machinery; a process in woolen 
manufacture by which the drawn fleece or yarn is twisted into 
yarns or threads of required thickness, technically known as 
"counts", according to the fabrics for which intended. As spun, 
the yarn is wound onto large bobbins for warp or on to smaller 
spools for weft. Practically the same for other fibers. See En- 
cyclopedia. 

Spinning jenny — see Jenny. 
Spinning mule — see Mule. 

Spitalfields — a district of London, England, noted specially for 
its silk weaving industries; the name is also applied to silk goods 
therefrom, as a mark of quality. 

Spladder dashers — one of the old forms of "spatterdash" (qv). 
Splay-footed — toes turning outwardly. 

Spliced — generally, a makeshift extension. See Crotch piece, 
Wheel piece, etc. 

Spliced heel — trade term for hosiery with the heel made much 
heavier than the body of the stocking, usually spoken as s. heels- 
and-toes. See Double sole. 
Split falls — same as Narrow f. 

Split foot — trade term for stockings whereof the underfoot part 
is knitted separately from the upper or leg part, altho these may 
be seamlessly joined with practically the same motion or recipro- 
cal interchange of loops, or otherwise. See English f. 



Spl 243 Spr 

Split patterns (to) — tailoring term for the operation of first draft- 
ing a pattern according to the subject's actual measurements, 
then splitting it open from top to bottom, and inserting an al- 
lowance for a superfluous amount of goods for ease and style, 
a new pattern being usually drafted from the split one. 
Split straw — (1) hat s. split into narrow strips; (2) hats of such 
straw (usually "yacht" shapes). 

Split tree — a shoe t. divided longitudinally and expanding when 
placed in position. 

Splits — weaving term for cloths woven with a center selvaged 
motion, so that when the piece is taken from the loom the wide 
fabric can be split into two or more practically perfect cloths ; in 
weaving designated one-s., two-s., etc. 

Sponge — general term for (1) the process of extra-shrinking 
fabrics preparatory to manufacturing into garments; see Shrink; 
(2) the act of lightly cleaning a slightly soiled garment with a 
damp sponge before pressing it. 

Sponge — a fibrous and porous substance from the sea-depths, the 
framework of a marine animal. 

Sponge bag — a light rubber or waterproof fabric b. for use of 
travelers, designed to hold bathing sponges. 

Sponge silk — a soft, porous, knitted fabric of low grade spun silk, 
used for underwear, draperies, polishing cloths, etc. 
Sponging — see Sponge. 

Spongy — trade term for cloths, such as raincoatings, which have 
lost their firmness and finish and have become open, soft or po- 
rous; also applied to cloths imperfectly fulled or finisht. 
Sporran — a leather or fur purse or pouch worn in front of the 
kilt by Highlanders in clan dress. 

Sporting tailor — one who makes a specialty of, and whose busi- 
ness consists largely if not entirely of the making of hunting, 
golf, polo, motoring garments and clothes for "sporting" wear 
generally. 

Sportsman's knife — a pocket k. having numerous conveniences in 
the way of blades, etc., especially a k. with an extra long blade for 
skinning hides, etc. 
Spot delivery — immediately. 

Spread front folder — a folded shirt collar, the ends of which are 
broadly rounded or cut away. 
Spring — a belled or flaring effect. 

Spring bottom trousers — same as ordinary t. except that the bot- 
toms flare out over the foot. 

Spring buckle — a buckling device consisting of two pronged 
buckles connected by coiled wire springs, used on some trousers, 
overalls, suspenders, etc. 
Spring button — a "snap" or "clasp" fastening. 



Spr 244 Sta 

Spring heels — term for shoes made without h. and worn by 
boys and children, the outer sole being sprung outward slightly 
at the heel and a small wedge of leather inserted between the 
outer sole and the innersole at the heel of the shoe before it is 
finally attacht by nailing. 

Spring mink — m. caught in the spring, when the fur begins to 
change — naturally of quality inferior to winter-caught m. 
Spring needle — term given to underwear knitted on round frames 
by means of a peculiar kind of n. so that the fabric is particularly 
elastic or springy. 
Spring tree — see Extension t. 

Spring weight — in the cloth trade suitings of 11 to 15 ounces and 
overcoatings of 16 to 22 ounces are so called. Compare Winter 
w., Summer w., Fall w., Tropical w. 
Sprinting pants — see Athletic p. 
Sprinting shoes — see Running s. 
Spruce — kind o' nice; dapper. 

Spun silk — trade term for (1) floss, damaged cocoons, husks, 
waste, etc. ; (2) s. yarns, fabrics, etc., from waste s. and dam- 
aged cocoons. 

Spun silver — s. thread for weaving, especially a fiber thread cov- 
ered with a s. filament. 
Spunk seed — see Wig. 

Spur — a heel-thing worn by men-brutes to jab into horses. 
Spy glass — a small telescope for ship or field use. 
Squam hat — a round h. of oiled waterproof material, made with a 
stiff crown and stiff rim, with ear tabs buttoning under the chin, 
worn by fishermen, seamen, etc. Compare Cape Ann h. 
Square — see Tailor's s. 

Square shouldered — shoulders high and set well back. 
Square-toe — a shoe made somewhat square at the t. as compared 
with a round or oval shape. 

Square-toes — an old-fashioned, punctilious person. 
Squaring — in hat making, the act of coating or saturating the in- 
side of the crown with a solution of shellac for the purpose of 
hardening. 

Squash hat — a low-crowned soft felt h. 

Squirrel — a small tree-living animal, the fur of which is highly 
prized for winter garments. 
Squirt — dude. 

Stable cap — a round c. with a visor, usually of material to match 
the groom's suit, as whipcord, corduroy. 

Stable suit — groom's sack s. of whipcord. See Livery undress. 
Stall — see Finger cot. 

Stamin — a variety of linsey woolsey (obsolete). 
Stampt gloves — die cut. Compare Table cut. (Stamped-g.) 



Sta 245 . Ste 

Stand-and-fall collar — same as standing Prussian c. 
Stand-up — same thing. 

Stander — colloquial for a standing (shirt) collar. 
Standing band — a sort of linen collar or neck-dressing ; obsolete. 
See Falling b. 

Standing Prussian collar — a P. c. made on a high band and turned 
over; also called Russian c. 

Stanley helmet — a light h. of pith, covered with pongee silk, hav- 
ing a sweat band set out from the body of the hat by rigid arms, 
thus allowing a circulation of air. 

Staple — the fiber of any material, as long or short-staple wool, 
cotton, etc. 

Staples — merchandise that is always salable, thruout the year, 
not materially affected by vagaries of fashion, as plain black and 
blue cloths and garments thereof, handkerchiefs, white dress 
shirts, black hosiery, etc. Staples are seldom reduced or included 
in special sales. Compare Fancies and Novelties. 
Start-up — a coarse, heavy sort of buskin, worn up to almost 1800. 
Station coat — a slip-on overcoat for riding, driving or motor wear, 
made single-breasted, buttoning close to the neck, with a sort of 
Prussian collar, lined thruout as usual except the skirt, which is 
unlined. 

Stay tape — narrow, white linen or cotton t. used by tailors for 
reinforcing edges, seams, etc. 

Stays — straps attacht to the bottoms of pantaloons, passing under 
the foot. 
Stays — corsets. 

Steam — to sponge or shrink (qv) ; to remove bloom or gloss. 
Steam shrunk — sponged or shrunk by being past thru perforated 
steam cylinders; the opposit of cold-water or London s. (qv). 
Steamer rug — see Rug. 

Steamer trunk — a low, flat t. that can be slipt under a stateroom 
berth. 

Steinkirk — a cravat (1674- 1742) loosely folded, tied or twisted, 
with ends caught in a buttonhole of the coat. 
Stem-winder — a keyless watch. 

Step — tailor's term for the lower edge of the notch in lapel of coat 
or waistcoat collar. 

Step-back — tailoring term for frock coats made without plaits in 
the back skirts, the back parts of the coats being continuous as 
usual, but that on the left side being extended or stept-out 1^2 
to 2 inches at the waist line (showing an L angle), and lapt over 
the other skirt, both sides of the skirts being creast as usual 
down from where the side-body is joined to the back part. In 
some overcoats the step is often 3 inches or more wide. 



Ste 246 Sto 

Stephanotis — a perfume derived from or imitating the odor of a 
plant of the jasmin family. 

Sterling — trade designation of silver of 925-1000 fineness. 
Sticharion — a vestment worn by sub-deacons in the Greek and 
Russian churches; a sort of dalmatic (qv) but narrower and 
shorter than the similar garment worn by deacons. 
Stick-pin — same as Scarf p. 
Stick-up collar — British for a standing shirt c. 
Stick-up-turned-down — British for the highband, folded or double 
shirt collar. 

Sticking plaster — a surgical adhesiv p. composed of resin and 
litharge in the proportion of 1 to 5, coated on cotton ; familiar to 
foot-ballists and other sports. 

Stiff front — trade term for coats made with considerable heavy 
haircloth workt stiffly into the front parts. 

Stiffening — a process in hat manufacture whereby the cones after 
sizing are given a firmness by means of a solution of shellac in 
alcohol. 

Stiletto beard — a long, sharp imperial (qv). 
Stint rule — see Task system. 

Stirrup hose — woolen or cloth over-hose for riding wear (17th 
and 18th centuries) made as much as two yards wide at the top 
and edged with eyelet holes by means of which they were fast- 
ened to the breeches or girdle. 

Stitches — as used in garment making, may be classified as back 
s., back-and-fore s., bar-tack s., basting s., button s., buttonhole 
s., chain s., cross s., crow's-foot s., drawing s., felling s., fine 
drawing s., French felling s., padding s., prick s., private s., ren- 
tering s., running s., serging s., side s., stoating s., etc., which see. 
Stoat — see Stoating. 

Stoating — in tailoring the process of joining two pieces of mate- 
rial together either at a point where a seam is not desired, or 
instead of a seam, where thinness is the object. The material is 
placed edge to edge and the stitch nearly penetrates thru to the 
underside, the needle entering one piece and leaving the other 
at equal distances from the join, say 1/16 of an inch on either 
side and about the same distance apart, the thread being stretcht 
taut. When carefully done the join is barely visible. 
Stock — originally a made-up, stiffly folded cravat of linen or silk, 
wrapt twice around the neck, the neck part usually with a metal 
spring attacht to keep it in place when worn. 
Stock — the merchandise in store for sale. 

Stock boy — in wholesale houses a young devil who bothers the 
traveling salesmen to take him "on the road" as assistant, and 
sometimes becomes a traveler and is particularly bedeviled in 
turn ; or, in retail and other houses one with similar duties and 
proclivities. 



Sto 247 Sto 

Stock covers — lengths of hickory shirting or other stuff that 
ought to be thrown over the stock at night. 
Stock number — see Lot n. 

Stock-room — a loft where reserve stocks of merchanidse are 
housed. 

Stock whip — a herder's whip having a short handle with a very 
long lash with snapper. 

Stockinet — (1) an elastic textil made on a knitting frame, usually 
cotton, and having a fleeced back which may be of wool, used 
for undergarments, etc.; (2) a heavy elastic, close woven mate- 
rial, usually white, from which livery breeches are made. 
Stocking — a covering for the foot and lower part of the leg, close 
fitting, elastic and usually knitted of wool, cotton or silk, espe- 
cially such as reach to the knee in contradistinction to sock or 
half-hose. 

Stocking frame — (1) a machine for knitting stockings; (2) any 
knitting machine. 

Stocking saver — a soft leather heel cover with instep strap, for 
wear inside of shoes. 

Stocking yarn — loosely spun, coarse, woolen y. for heavy socks, 
hoods, mittens, etc., designed for hand-knitting. 
Stockinger — a knitter or weaver of stockings ; a hosier (obsolete.) 
Stockingless — having or wearing no stockings. You've heard of 
Hon. "Sockless" Jerry Simpson? 

Stogy — (n) a coarse, stout boot or shoe. (Colloquial.) 
Stogy — (adj) heavy; coarse; clumsy. 

Stole — an ecclesiastical vestment; a long, narrow strip of the 
same material as the chasuble, with one to three crosses em- 
broidered upon it with other elaborate decoration; worn as a 
symbol of priestly jurisdiction, in the administration of all the 
sacraments, at mass, etc. At mass the priest wears it crost 
over his left breast, the deacon over his left shoulder; at other 
times hanging straight down. 

Stone marten — the beach m. ; fur largely used for winter gar- 
ments. 

Stonine — a white, marble-like composition used for shirt studs, 
cuff buttons, etc., for evening dress wear. 

Stoop shouldered — having roundish shoulders with a forward 
inclination. 

Store— a place where you buy things. 
Store clothes — readymade; not homemade. 

Storm boot — an extra high-cut lace shoe, usually blucher model, 
and of stout leather, commonly waterprooft. 
Storm coat — a rain-proof c. ; a mackintosh ; an ulster. 



Sto 248 Str 

Storm collar — in tailoring (1) a separate, large, standing c. or 
muffler, usually of fur, for rough outdoor wear, used over over- 
coats; (2) a deep ulster c. 
Storm hat — a sou'wester. 

Storm hood — a sort of sou'wester with a cape all around. 
Storm-proof — said of viscolized or oil-drest tramping boots or 
shoes ; of rainproof overcoatings, etc. 

Storm serge — differing from other serges chiefly in being heavier 
and in having the bloom or high finish removed by steaming. 
Storm tabs — straps or short belts attacht to overcoat or ulster 
sleeves at the wrist for purpose of closing the opening against 
the weather. 

Stormer — an ulster (qv). 
Stote — see Stoat. 

Stouts — clothing trade term for readymade garments designed to 
fit corpulent persons or those with waist more than normal or 
the same as the breast measure. Compare Short-s., Long-s. and 
Extra-s. 

Stove-pipe — a silk hat. 

Straight — one of the old names for kersey (qv). 
Straight box — trade term for coats cut with straight side seams 
and full backs without center seams. 

Straight collar — trade term for coat collars made with a straight 
under-line and without excessiv paring of the neck of the gar- 
ment as in the case of horseshoe c. (qv). This style c. is best 
made by hand and is a characteristic of fine tailoring, distinguish^ 
for fitting the neck closely and neatly. 

Straight front sack — a s. coat not rounded or cut away at the 
bottom corners, but hanging straight down. 

Straight front single-breasted frock — same as s. b. frock, and s. 
b. "Prince Albert." 

Straight jacket — a garment unfortunately little used outside of 
insane asylums. 

Straight lace — trade term for regular style laced shoes or Bal- 
morals, distinguishing them from the flapt or Blucher style laced 
shoe. 

Straight stander — a plain, standing shirt collar. 
Straightening — in clothes manufacture the operation of trimming 
the edges of coats after being underprest. 
Strand — a fiber, warp or weft yarn, string, etc. 
Strap — tailoring term for (1) that part of a coat embraced in 
strap measurement (qv) ; (2) in an evening dress coat an L 
shaped extension of the skirt to the point of the front of forepart, 
forming a waistline seam therewith. 

Strap-ends — that part where boot (or shoe) straps are sewed into 
the boot (or shoe). 



Str 249 Str 

Strap measure — tailors' term for the measurement taken from 
bottom of arm scye, over the front of shoulder, to seam on top 
where the back part is joined. 

Strap seam — in tailoring the two parts are first joined by a plain 
or regular s. and prest open as usual, after which a strip of mate- 
rial is basted over the face of the s. and then stitcht. 
Strapt trousers — having straps and buckles affixt to bottoms, 
passing beneath arch of shoe. (Strapped.) 
Straw — cattle feed used in making summer hats. 
Straw cotton — c. thread especially prepared for sewing straw, as 
in hat making. 

Straw hat — worn only from June 1st to September 1st. Spe- 
cially designated as alpine, boater, mackinaw, milan, panama, 
sennit, yacht, etc., which see. 

Straw needle — a long, slender n. used in straw hat making. 
Strawberry blonde — red haired. 
Street covert — a top coat. 

Street gloves — g. of heavy leather. Compare Dress g. 
Street railway conductor's uniform — varies with different roads 
and in different cities ; most commonly a sack suit of dark blue 
cloth, the coat double-breasted in winter and single-breasted in 
summer, with an extra number of pockets very strongly made 
and re-enforced with cloth around the openings, which are 
slasht or without flaps, brass buttons; blue cloth cap with num- 
bered badge. 

Strength test — (silk thread) pure dye silk thread running 800 
hundred yards to the ounce should be about 8 pounds strength ; 
1000 yards to ounce breaking at 6 to 6 T / 2 pounds, etc. 
Strength tester — any machine or device for testing the strength 
of fibers, yarns, fabrics, etc. 

Stretch — tailoring term signifying joining a smaller to a larger 
part ; stretching an edge to more than its cut dimension, etc., for 
purposes of shapeliness, style, etc. Compare Hold-in. 
Stretch block — a wooden or metal device, a sort of last operated 
by a screw, used by hatters to stretch hats to larger sizes. 
Stretcher — same as Litter (qv). 

Stretching — a process in hat manufacture, following stiffening 
(qv) and preceding blocking (qv). 
Stride — the fork or crotch seam of trousers. 
Striking bag — same as punching b. 
Striking bag gloves — see Punching b. g. 

String-out — said of silk fabrics the warp and weft of which, in 
wear, slip or slide aside or pull, leaving unsightly spots. 
Stripes — see Trousers s. 
Stripes — cant for prison clothes (qv). 



Str 250 Sub 

Stripy — trade term for harsh, inelastic, non-curly wool fleece, 
used only for inferior goods. 

Stroke coat — same as golf coat, tho a more appropriate name. 
Strop — see Razor s. 

Stubbed — shortened, abbreviated. (Tailoring.) 
Stubbed back — tailoring term for a frock coat having a back 
which is cut across at the waist line and having the plaited part 
of the skirt (which may be closed or open-lapt) sewed thereto. 
Compare Frock b., Whole b., Step b., False b., Skirt, etc. 
Stubble — sign that a shave is needed. 
Stud holes — small round eyelets workt into a shirt bosom 
Student cap — same as mortarboard or Oxford c. (qv). 
Studs — shirt bosom jewelry. 

Stuft leather — leather filled with oil or other greasy liquid for 
a specific purpose, as waterproofing. 

Stump — a pointed roll of paper, felt or chamois used by artists 
in blending drawings and by actors in blending the grease paints 
used in making up. 

Stumpt — said of frock coat back-parts that are not continuous 
but are cut across at the waist line and then continued therefrom 
in the skirts. (Stumped.) 

Style — a will o' the wisp that men chase quite as assiduously as 
women; the touch of la mode that wanes ere it is recognized; a 
something as insubstantial as the favor of rulers, as light as the 
air, as protean as a hurricane, and fickle as a woman who knows 
her beauty and how to use it ; a leading pursuit of the frivolous 
and wealthy and a Godsend to merchants and manufacturers. 
Style-book — a pictorial eulogy of the sartorial abilities of the 
publishers, which, if deficient, can be glost over by a clever writer 
and a cleverer artist. 

Styler — one who designs or advises as to styles, patterns, etc., for 
manufacturers of articles of apparel. 

Stylish — in the current mode; not last season's: popular; a com- 
mon adjectiv in Grand street. 
Stylist — see Styler. 

Styptic pencil — an antiseptic healer of cuts, popular with self- 
shavers. Also called S. stick. 

Sub — affectionate for substitute, an extra or temporary clerk. 
Subbing — helping out or taking another clerk's place tempora- 
rily; doing other than one's regular work. 
Subfusk — dusky or dull of hue ; of a dark but indefinable color. 
Substitute — see Sub. 

Substitute — something otherwise than as ordered. 
Substitution — an ineradicable evil. 



Sue 251 Sul 

Suede — glove leather from which the face cuticle has been re- 
moved by shaving and pumicing, the flesh or inner side of the 
skin forming the outside of a glove and having a soft, velvety or 
ooze finish ; "undrest kid". 

Sugar loaf — a high, silk hat, narrowing toward the top. 
Suint — see Yolk. 

Suit — (1) coat, waistcoat and trousers; (2) undershirt and draw- 
ers; (3) pajama blouse and trousers; (4) bathing trunks and 
shirt, etc. 

Suit bag — a syle of hand luggage of great capacity, shaped some- 
what like a s. case, but opening from a common center-hinge into 
two equal parts. 

Suit case — a long, flat, rectangular traveling bag or portmanteau, 
usually of leather, of such size that coats, trousers, etc., may be 
carried therein with the least amount of folding. 
Suit-case umbrella — an u. with a folding rod or a detachable 
handle, effecting a reduction in length, enabling the u. to be car- 
ried inside the case. 

Suit club — an association of deluded persons who agree to pay 
into a common fund (usually held by the organizer of the club, 
who conducts all its affairs, more or less to his own or only bene- 
fit), a fixt sum per week. A drawing by lot determins who shall 
get his suit that week, after which, ordinarily, he pays no further 
dues ; and so on until the last man gets his suit, of course by pay- 
ing more than anyone else, altho he may believe that he is paying 
no more than the clothes are worth, by reason of specious argu- 
ments about quantity-buying advanced by the plausible organ- 
izer of the club, the inducement to all the members being the 
element of chance, or rather prospect of being among the earliest 
and least taxt buyers. Of course, there are occasionally formed 
clubs where all members pay the same amount from first to last, 
there being no pecuniary inducement beyond the easy payment 
plan and the possibility of being an early winner. The first form 
of s. c. has repeatedly been declared illegal by the courts but is 
hard to suppress, despite the exemplary punishment meted out 
to the offenders. 

Suit-coat — tailor's term for distinguishing a garment so markt as 
part of a suit order, and not a complete order in itself. 
Suit of hair — a head of hair. (Southern colloquialism.) 
Suit-pants — see S.-coat. 
Suit-vest — see S.-coat. 

Sulfuric-acid test — (cotton vs. linen). After having been freed 
from the finishing materials the sample of cloth is treated for one 
or two minutes in concentrated English sulfuric-acid, then rinsed 
well in water, and dried between blotting-papers. Cotton is com- 
pletely dissolved in this treatment; linen remains unaffected. 
This test is suitable for colored goods, and by weighing the 



Sum 252 Sur 

samples before and after treatment the quantity of each material 
can be approximated. 

Sumac — any shrub or tree of the genus rhus ; the bark thereof 
used in tanning. 

Summer garters — g. specially for wear with knee drawers, hav- 
ing no metal parts to come in corrosiv contact with moist flesh. 
Summer undress — (marine corps, etc.), see Undress, White dress, 
Field dress, et var. 

Summer weight — in the cloth trade suitings of 11 to 14 ounces 
are so known. Compare Winter w., Spring w., Fall w., Trop- 
ical w. 

Sun test — see Exposure t. 

Sun umbrella — an u. usually of cotton material, of tan or buff 
color outside and with a green or blue inside, the lining color 
being printed. 

Sunday-go-to-meeting-clothes — the best one has. 
Sunshade — a sun umbrella (qv). 

Sunshade hat — a collapsible h. of light-weight cotton material 
having a very long and wide brim stretcht on wire ; used by ama- 
teur fishermen. 
Super — see Wool. 

Superfine — the finest grade of dress broadcloths. 
Superlative measures — a system of tailors' measurements em- 
bracing features of both long and short measure systems, with 
which, for comparison, the former may be considered the allo- 
pathic, the latter homeopathic, and the superlative eclectic 
schools of clothes-prescribing. 

Supporter — (1) a contrivance for holding up some portion of 
one's apparel, as garters, braces, etc. ; (2) a surgical or hygienic 
appliance for holding in place or assisting localized physical 
weaknesses, as a laced waistband with an underpart reaching 
thru the crotch from front to back to support the parts. 
Suppression — tailoring term indicating close-shaping of the waist, 
as of a coat. 

Surah — a soft, fine-twilled, silk fabric, usually plain dyed. 
Surcharged — weighted ; loaded in dyeing and finishing. 
Surcoat — (1) a long c. or cassock worn over a vest or undercoat ; 
(2) a loose robe worn over armor, in the middle ages. 
Surgeon's gown — a long, plain g., completely enveloping the fig- 
ure, closing at the throat, with draw strings or elastics in the 
cuffs, with or without hood ; usually of white cotton material. 
Surgeon's plaster — see Sticking p. 

Surplice — a garment of linen worn by all clerics and assistants in 
choir and by priests in the administration of the sacraments. 
Also called cotta. 



Sur 253 Swi 

Surtout — an overcoat made in the style of a frock coat; a New- 
market (qv). 

Surveyor's boot — see Prospector's b. 

Suspender button — one of the petty annoyances of men living in 
single unblessedness. 

Suspenders — devices for keeping one's trousers neatly and mod- 
estly in place. 

Suspensory — an arrangement of straps and bag to sustain the 
scrotum. 

Swaddling clothes — known since Moses' time, at least. 
Swallowtail — see Evening dress. 

■Swanga-buckra — a negro epithet for a well-drest white man. 
Swap — when a prospectiv customer does not purchase he is said 
to have given the salesman a "swap" ; derivation of term un- 
known. 

Swathling clothes — see Swaddling c. 

Swayback — meaning that a man's attitude tries to imitate Ho- 
garth's line of beauty. 

Sweat lining — in hats and caps usually a lining band of soft 
leather, occasionally patent leather, or other material. 
Sweat shop — in garment making a shop not owned by the manu- 
facturer but by a contractor, who pays low wages ; a home shop 
where various members of the family are employed ; popularly a 
shop where disease and contagion are supposed to be imminent 
if not actually existent, and where the operators are virtual slaves 
for the sake of a pittance to buy bread. 
Sweatband — see s. lining. 

Sweater — a tight-fitting, ribbed, knitted jacket or shirt, of various 
styles, as turtle neck s., coat s., V neck s., etc. 

Sweating — a putrefactiv process in leather preparation for the 
purpose of loosening hairs. 
Sweating system — see Sweat shop. 
Swedish gloves — see Suede. 

Sweet bags — ornamental bags or pouches of perfume or aromatic 
substances variously used by the beaux and belles of the roman- 
tic past. 

Swell — a supposedly ultra-fashionable individual. 
Swelled seam — (tailoring) the parts to be joined are basted face 
to face along an outlet; this is sewed with a regular or plain s. 
(qv) at the usual distance from the edge of the top piece, which 
is then turned and stitcht again at the required distance from the 
first s. underneath and then very lightly prest, giving the 
raised or swelled effect, which is helpt by absence of any stitch- 
ing holding the cloth down at the turn of the s. Also called 
"raised s." and "lap s."; often mistakenly called "welt s." (qv). 
Swimming suits — same as bathing s. 



Swi 254 Tac 

Switch — a riding whip. 

Swivel weaving — in weaving, a process of achieving embroid- 
ered-like effects on cloth, being effected by small auxiliary shut- 
tles of colored threads. 

Swop — an unconsummated sale (retail slang). 
Sword belt — a leather or canvas b. worn around the waist, sup- 
porting a sword by straps. 

Sword cane — a hollow walking-stick with detachable handle, to 
which is affixt a s. or dagger. 

Sword knot — (navy) for officers, a strip of gold lace 24 inches 
long, doubled, with a gold slide and surmounted at the end with 
a large gold bullion tassel. 

Symmetricals — bits of padding used by stage Venuses and 
Adonises. 

System — a method of tailoring instruction for cutters, or learn- 
ers; a crank method for achieving misfits. 

Syndicate shop — name given to any one of a chain of stores con- 
trolled from an executiv center. 
$— the idol of trade. 



T 



Tab — to keep tally or count. 

Tab collar — (1) a linen wing or piccadilly shirt c. ; (2) any stand- 
ing shirt c. with sewed-on tabs thru which the scarf or tie is 
slipt and held in place. 

Tabard — a sleeveless or short-sleeved outergarment worn by 
knights over their armor, commonly embroidered with the arms 
of the wearer ; the official costume of a herald or pursuivant. 
Table — the upper part or flat face of a brilliant cut diamond or 
other precious stone. 

Table cut — trade term for gloves cut by hand, not stampt out 
from a pattern or die, ensuring a better fitting glove. 
Tabs — small flaps on shirt collars for holding scarf in place. 
Tack — (1) the narrowest part of the back of a frock coat; (2) 
that part where the skirts are joined ; (3) the top of a vent. 
Tack stay — in tailoring a slip of interlining material used in 
pocket seams, etc., at the place where a tack (qv) is made, and 
for its support or strength. 

Tacking — in shoemaking the process of placing the vamp or 
upper on the last and pulling it over and tacking it onto the 



Taf 255 Tai 

leather innersole on the bottom of the last; also called "pulling 
over". 

Taffeta — a light-weight, thin, plain-woven, glossy silk fabric, 
finisht in a variety of ways : as plain-dyed, changeable, warp- 
printed, brocaded, etc. 

Taffeta flannel — a plain woven, light-weight wool material, with 
stripes, plaids and checks, effected by colored threads in warp 
and filling, close woven and said to be nearly unshrinkable ; used 
chiefly for outing shirts, pajamas, etc. 
Taffeta weave — see Plain w. 

Taffy — a name once given to a watered variety of taffeta silk. 
Taffy — blarney; soft palaver. 

Tag lock — a tangled 1., as of wool on unshorn sheep. 
Taglioni — a style of overcoat fashionable in the 50's. 
Tahiti pearl — trade name for a very dark, nearly black, p. shell 
(and articles thereof) from Tahiti. 

Tail — -a coarser grade of wool than "breach" ; also called cow-tail. 
Tail-coat — familiar term for any skirted c, but especially for 
evening dress and cutaway frock coats. 

Tailor — generally, any one in the business of making clothes ; 
specifically, (1) a shopkeeper who makes clothes to order and to 
measure; (2) any workmen employed in the making of clothes, 
whether journeyman t, presser, operator, bushelman, etc. 
Tailor-to-the-trade — a clothing manufacturer who makes clothes 
to order for agents or other tailors ; largely a mail-order business ; 
often a concern doing business under two to four or more names, 
so that customers lost by one may be sold again (note double 
entendre) under another name ; in such cases usually located on 
a corner of two streets and, if possible, in a named building, that 
several different real addresses may be used. 
Tailor's block — a sort of stool on which the customer being meas- 
ured poses for the admiration of other waiting customers. 
Tailor's braid — any b. of silk or mohair, with a flat or corded 
edge, used for binding or facing garments, etc. 
Tailor's cramp — a cramp in the muscles of the thumb and fingers, 
common among tailors and other needle workers. 
Tailor's goose — a smoothing iron. See Goose. 
Tailor's muscle — the sartorius, a long, narrow muscle of the 
thigh, that aids in flexing the knee, the longest muscle in the 
body ; so called from its use in crossing the legs, as with tailors. 
Tailor's silk thread sizes — see Appendix. 

Tailor's spasm — a nervous affection of the hand common to 
needleworkers. 

Tailor's square — an L shaped measuring and drafting implement, 
markt in inches and in fractional computations. 



Tai 256 Tap 

Tailor's tack — a strong, ornamental finish at the ends of pockets, 
vents, etc. See Crow's-foot and Bar-tack. 

Tailor's trimmings — trade term for linings, buttons, braids, 
thread and all other "notions" required by tailors. 
Tailor's twist — the strong silk thread used in garment making. 
Tailorage — the product or effect of the tailor's art : as "a great 
parade of tailorage." 

Tailoring indicator — a machine for ascertaining with exactness 
all manner of measurements, proportions, disproportions, hight, 
weight, position, etc., of the customer. 
Tailorize — to clothe or fit as a tailor does. 

Tailoroid — a gummy preparation in stick form intended for use 
on edges that are to be felled for the purpose of preventing fray- 
ing and blistering and to ensure smoothness, firmness and flexi- 
bility of trousers and coat bottom hems, coat collars, etc. (Pro- 
prietary.) 

Taleth — a praying shawl of white stuff, bordered with blue, worn 
by Jews at their devotions. 

Take-in — to make narrower, shorter, snugger. (Tailoring, etc.) 
Talisman — see Amulet. 
Tall hat— slang for silk h. 

Talma — a long cape or cloak, sometimes hooded, worn in first 
half of 19th century; named after Francois Joseph Talma, a 
French tragedian. 

Tarn o' Shanter — a broad, flat, knit woolen cap with a tassel in 
the center (Scotch). 
Tampico — Istle (qv). 

Tan — to convert hides and skins into leather by chemical treat- 
ment. 

Tan bark — any bark, as sumac, oak, hemlock, chestnut, etc., con- 
taining tannic acid in sufficient quantity to be useful in tanning 
leather. 

Tan liquor — (1) an infusion of tan bark in water; (2) any astrin- 
gent liquor used in making leather. 
Tan pickle — same as T. liquor. 
Tan yard — a tannery (qv). 

Tannery — a place where hides and skins are tanned and made 
into leather. 

Tap sole — a half s. shaped like a slip s., but nailed or attacht to 
the outside of a boot or shoe and reaching only to the arch, com- 
ing next to the ground ; not a whole s. See Slip s. Also called Na- 
poleon s. 

Tapaderos — among Mexicans a leather covering for the protec- 
tion of the feet. 
Tape line — an inch measure. See next. 



Tap 257 Tec 

Tape measure — an article, usually of fabric, printed in inches and 
fractions thereof, commonly 60 inches long and half an inch wide, 
used by tailors, clothiers, et al., in taking - measurements. 
Taped seam — in tailoring a strong s. used in making garments 
from insubstantial or easily frayed fabrics, specifically a strip of 
tape laid under a s. and stitcht to same on both sides. Compare 
Silesia s. 

Tar — a boy's sailor cap. 

Tarboosh — a red cap with tassel of dark colored silk, and some- 
times forming the inner part of the turban, worn by men in 
Moslem countries. 

Tarlatan — of interest to men chiefly when worn by coryphees of 
the ballet, or when employed to keep off mosquitoes at night. 
Tartan — a Scotch plaid. 

Task system — a peculiar Jewish s. of garment making. A 
"task" is so many garments to a day's work for a "team" or "set", 
usually 3 to 5 people. This quota must be finisht and wages are 
reckoned upon it. If but five tasks, for example, are finisht in six 
days, the team workers get but five days' pay ; per contra, if they 
can do seven tasks in six days, they get seven days' pay. The 
task s. is really piece work and is perhaps the most ingenious 
and effectiv engine or over-exertion known to modern industry. 
Tattersall — general trade name for loud or horsey patterns in 
heavy woolen vestings ; the name from the famous London horse 
market. 

Tatterdemalion — a raggedy one. 

Tattoo — to decorate the human epidermis with designs pricked 
in with indelible dyes. 

Tawing — a process in leather dressing in which the gelatin of the 
fibers is combined with certain mineral salts. 
Tea basket — a sort of folding hamper with fittings for coaching 
party lunches, etc. 
Team process — see T. work. 

Team work — tailoring term, meaning practically the same as 
"Section w." (qv), but given to a lesser number or smaller team 
of operators to make and finish and consequently costing a trifle 
more to execute. Employed most generally in cheap tailoring, 
medium grade readymade, etc. 
Tear drops — small pear-shaped side whiskers. 
Teasel — a machine or contrivance for dressing cloth. 
Teasel cloth — see Flannelet. 

Teaser — a machine having rollers of various sizes studded with 
pins which open the wool and intermix or blend it before carding 
or combing and spinning. 

Teck — a readymade imitation of the knot tied with a four-in- 
hand scarf. 



Ted 258 Ten 

Teddy bear — another fad in children's clothing of a par in sanity 
with Fauntleroy, Buster Brown, Brownie, Greenaway, and other 
eruptions. 

Teething ring — a large r. of rubber, ivory, pearl, etc., worn at- 
tacht to the wrist by a blue ribbon from the age of 5 or 6 months 
up. 

Teetsook — a saddle-bag made of buffalo hide, from which the 
hair has been removed ; in use on the plains. 

Telegraph messenger's uniform — (Western Union) : double- 
breasted blouse with one outside (breast) pocket and Prussian 
collar, red cord trimming, trousers to match ; (Postal) : single- 
breasted blouse, white cord trimming. 

Telescope — an article of hand luggage of two parts, each shaped 
like boxes without covers, one sliding or telescoping into the 
other and held together by straps; usually canvas-covered with 
leather trimmings. 

Telescope hat — a flat topt, soft felt h., not creast in the middle 
like a fedora h., but with a gutter all around the top of the 
crown. 

Tennis flannel — see Outing cloth ; also Flannel. 
Tennis hat — a light felt h. of soft texture, usually of light colors, 
worn in outdoor sports. 

Tennis robe — a sort of dressing gown for wear between dressing 
room and court or while resting, usually of flannel or other light 
material. 

Tennis shoe — a low s. of soft leather or canvas, having rubber 
soles and low or no heels. 

Tennis ulster — same as t. robe (qv) but fashioned especially like 
an overcoat or u. and always made of light weight cloth or flannel. 
Tenterhook willey — see Mixing picker. 

Tentering — the process of stretching fabrics, during the opera- 
tion of finishing, so that they may dry evenly and of a specified 
width. 

Territory — wool classification term. See Wool. 
Terry — a pile fabric in which the loops are uncut; when of cotton 
or linen, largely used for bath robes, bath towels, etc. 
Terry velvet — v. with the pile uncut. 

Test — any means or method of determining quality, strength, 
etc., of any fabric or textil material, dye, etc. See Cotton t., 
Linen t., Wool t, etc. 

Testimonials — voluntary letters written by people who want to 
see their names in print; sometimes written on request. 
Tete de negre — textil term for "niggerhead" effects. 
Teufelsdroeckh — the Herr Professor who enunciated a great 
theory of clothes. Read (and enjoy) Sartor Resartus. 



Tex 259 Thr 

Textil — (a) of or pertaining to weaving or woven fabrics; (n) a 
woven fabric or material suitable for weaving. (Textile.) 
Textil silk — see Artificial s. 

Textil soap — general term for s. used for (1) scouring raw wool; 
(2) scouring yarns, and (3) scouring and fulling of cloth ; of dif- 
ferent composition, according to the use intended. 
Texture — the disposition, arrangement, character or quality pre- 
sented by the threads, filaments or other components of a woven 
fabric ; as loose t., firm t., coarse t., etc. ; or in other v/ords, a trade 
term meaning size and number of threads per inch in a fabric. 
Thatch — unkempt hair; unshaved face growth. 
Thermos bottle — a device consisting of a glass bottle contained 
within a vacuum enclosed by another bottle encased in metal, 
and suitably sealed when in use, its peculiar properties being 
that boiling hot liquids may be kept hot in the lowest tempera- 
ture from 24 to 48 hours, and ice-cold liquids kept cold in tropical 
weather equally long, making the device of unusual value to tour- 
ists, the sick room, etc. 

Thibet — a soft, smooth, compact, twill-woven, woolen cloth, 
made of wool or cotton warp with wool filling; more elastic and 
softer than melton, not so nappy as cheviot, often made in imita- 
tion of unfinisht worsted, and largely adulterated with short- 
staple wool or shoddy ; commonly dyed black or navy blue. 
Thick-set — a sort of stout velveteen or fustian used for working 
clothes, etc. 

Thimble — a metal shield worn on one finger by tailors, seam- 
stresses and others, in sewing, for pushing needles thru fabrics. 
Thong — a slender strip of leather for fastening. 
Thong stitcht — sewed with rawhide ; usually employed in con- 
nection with athletic gloves, etc. 

Thoraki — a peculiar sort of sack-like bloomer trousers, usually 
of blue cotton, very voluminous at bottom, the legs seemingly 
protruding thru the corners, worn by Greek peasants. 
Thread-about — weaving term, meaning that the warp or weft, or 
more properly both, may be of alternate material, as cotton-and- 
linen, silk-and-linen, silk-and-wool, cotton-and-wool, etc. 
Thread marks — when a chopt (cut out) garment is delivered to a 
journeyman tailor or operator for making up, he first proceeds to 
sew thru the two parts, only one of which is markt, with white 
(or black) thread wherever the cutter has indicated pockets, 
buttons, seam lines, etc., which when split apart leave both sides 
(which being cut in duplicate were hitherto markt [in chalk] 
only on one piece) equally and more permanently markt alike 
by bits of thread ; these bastings, of course, being removed as the 
garment is completed. 
Threadbare — worn down to the warp; seedy. 



Thr 260 Tie 

Three balls — the arms of everybody's uncle. 
Three-cockt hat — see below. 

Three-cornered hat — a h. with brim turned up and fastened to 
side of crown in three places; first worn in England during reign 
of William III. Also called three-cockt h. See Continental h. 
Three-eighths — see Wool. 

Three-seamer — term used early in last century among English 
tailors referring to coats made with three principal seams. 
Three-square hat — same as three-cornered h. 
Throat point — that part of the shoe where the vamp and the top 
come together in front of the instep. 
Through-and-through — see Thru-and-thru. 

Throwing — the processes (winding, cleaning, doubling, twist- 
ing, re-winding, reeling, etc.) of putting raw silk into the threads 
required for the different kinds of weaving; these threads are 
known as singles, tram, and organzine (qv). 
Throwster — a worker in a silk mill. 

Thru-and-thru — trade term for worsteds in which the pattern 
shows on the back as well as the face ; the opposit of backt cloth ; 
specially indicating finer quality. (Through-and-through.) 
Thru-lighting test — (cotton vs. linen.) When a linen fabric is 
held between the light and the eyes of the observer, it appears 
to be striped ; cotton cloth is uniform. 

Thrum — (1) the fringe of warp threads remaining on a loom 
after the web has been cut off; (2) coarse or waste yarn. 
Thumb cuff — a metallic article of apparel carried by the police of 
some cities, conferred upon the party honored by placing over 
his thumbs and locking same together, being considered neater 
and more effectiv than handcuffs. 

Thumb test — a common method of testing the tensil strength 
of fabrics, the material being taken in both hands and stretcht 
over the thumbs, which are held close together, and act as a 
straining or breaking point. 

Tick mitten — loose m. of stout ticking used by truck drivers, 
farm laborers, etc. 
Ticket pocket — see Change p. 

Ticking — a stout, twilled cotton or linen material, with woven or 
printed stripes, employed for tents, mattress covers, carpenters' 
aprons, etc. 
Tidy — neat. 
Tie — see Wig. 
Tie clip — see Scarf fastener. 

Tied-and-dried — dyer's term, indicating that the design or pat- 
tern has been achieved by tying the material (silk or cotton 
cloth, etc.) tightly into knots before immersion into the dye, 



Tif 261 Toi 

which results in a solid ground color, having peculiar designs 
where the dye was unable to penetrate the t. spots. 
Tiftik — Turkish for mohair. 

Tight roll — trade term for umbrellas, usually with a light steel 
rod, and covered with light-weight silk, designed to roll very 
closely or tight. Also called "close r." 

Tights — (1) a skin-fitting garment, preferably of silk, largely 
worn by actors and acrobats for facilitating action and displaying 
the form ; sometimes covering the body, but more commonly the 
legs ; (2) a tight-fitting undergarment. 

Tights — one of the old names for knee breeches or "shorts". 
Tile — a hat ; particularly, a tall silk h. 

Tillet — a thin linen fabric stiffened with glue and used in the first 
half of the last century as a stiffening for coat fronts, collars, etc. 
Tin — used largely in weighting cheap silks. 

Tinsel braid — any braid of finely spun metal threads, woven in a 
variety of patterns, used for livery, uniforms, etc. 
Tinsel brocade — see Brocade. 

Tip — a protectiv or ornamental cap over the toe of a shoe. 
Tip printer — one who prints hat tips (qv). 

Tippet — (1) a long, knit, woolen scarf, worn as a muffler; (2) a 
fur shoulder cape; (3) a shoulder scarf worn by clergymen in 
place of a hood (see Amice). 
Titan braid — see Hercules b. 

Tobacco pouch — a small bag of soft leather, rubber or other 
material. 

Tobago — a palm grown in the West Indies and tropical Amer- 
ica, the slender stems of which are used for walking sticks, etc. 
Toboggan cap — a knitted, woolen c, usually all-white or in bright 
parti-colors, conical in shape, of various lengths, the apex finisht 
with a tassel, the open end being folded up one or more times 
until the effect suits the mind and the head of the wearer; some- 
times worn over the ears. 

Toe plate — (1) see shoe p. ; (2) a brass or aluminum cap worn at 
the outer edge of the toe of a shoe (as baseball s.) for protection. 
Toff — vernacular for a flashy dresser; a dude. (British.) 
Toga — an elliptical mantle, about 5x4 yards in size, worn doubled 
and gathered on the left shoulder, so as to hang in broad folds — 
worn by the old Romans. 

Togged to the nines — nautical slang for an officer in full dress. 
Toggery — clothes. 
Togs — clothes. 
Toile — French for fabric. 
Toilet — the process of dressing. 

Toilet paper — soft, thin, tender, manilla tissue p., readily soluble, 
for use in water closets. 



Toi 262 Top 

Toilet soap — s. with its constituent greases disguised by high 
perfumes. 

Toilet water — a dilute perfume. 

Toilinet — a stout, closely-woven, vesting material, usually of silk 
or cotton warp with wool rilling, plain or loom-figured. (Toil- 
inette.) 

Tom Astoner — nautical slang for a gay, dashing fellow. 
Tommyhole — the accommodation opening in front of a boy's first 
pants. 

Toney — good style; smart; good form. 

Tongs — trousers or overalls of tow or nativ cloth, worn by farm 
laborers in Colonial days ; nickname for first long t. of boys of 
Revolutionary times: similar to the pantaloons of 1820. 
Tongue — a strip of leather, loose or partly or wholly attacht up 
the sides, for closing the gap of a laced shoe. See Bellows t. 
Tonsorial — of or pertaining to a barber. 

Tonsure — the crown of the head shaven, leaving a surrounding 
fringe. 

Toorie — the tassel on a Glengarry cap. 

Toothpick — sometimes used in place of suspender buttons. 
Toothpick collar — in tailoring a very slender or narrow coat c. 
Toothpick toe — a very sharp-pointed t. — a shoe fashion now 
thankfully out of mind. 

Top boots — b. with high tops, straight or flaring, and frequently 
of different color leather, sometimes richly decorated ; worn by 
carriage servants, jockeys, sportsmen, and formerly for osten- 
tatious dress, as part of military uniform, etc. See also Jack b. 
Top coat — a light overcoat. 
Top hat — a high silk h. ; a "topper". 

Top lift — the outer or finishing layer of leather on the heel of a 
shoe. 

Top piece — the same. 

Top pocket — a p. in trousers, the opening of which extends in a 
diagonal line from a point midway between the two front waist- 
band buttons to a point on the side seam a few inches below the 
waistband. 

Top-shirt — same as over-s. ; a working s. 

Top side — tailor's term for the t. or upper part of a pattern, as 
the t. part of a sleeve. 

Topper — (1) a "top" or silk hat; (2) a top coat. 
Toppiness — wool trade term for a sort of uneven felting of fibers 
at the top of the fleece. 

Tops — (1) the long, straight fibers of wool — term used during 
combing process; (2) bundles of i l / 2 pounds of combed wool 
ready for spinning. 



Toq 263 Tra 

Toque — a knitted conical cap worn in Canada for tobogganing 
and other winter sports. 
Torpedo beard — a la Captain Kettle. 

Torrington — a name given to cotton gloves of a special quality- 
adapted to military or similar use. 

Tortoise shell — the epidermal plates of the carapace of a testudi- 
nate reptil — or — in English — the shell or house of a sea turtle. 
Totem — a red-skin's "coat of arms", the device being painted on 
the breast. Each tribe and family have different "bearings", 
which serve as a name or designation. Generally, totems are 
representations of animals. 

Toupee — a little tuft, curl or artificial lock of hair; the top of a 
periwig; a small wig covering a bald spot. 

Toupee paste — a gummy substance for making toupees adhere 
to the scalp. 

Tourist cap — a round crown cloth c. with a visor and a band that 
may be turned down, covering the back of the head. 
Tourist coat — a double-breasted ulster, usually of rough Scotch 
goods with the regular notcht or peakt collar instead of the 
typical ulster collar (qv) ; worn with or without a belt. 
Tourist coating — general term for heavy Scotch and novelty 
overcoatings suitable for ulsters, tourist coats, etc. 
Tourist collar bag — a b. with flat round bottom and soft sides 
closed at top by draw strings, intended to keep collars clean in 
suit case, trunk, etc. Usually made of leather and variously 
trimmed. 

Tourist strap — an adjustably buckled leather strap, having snap 
buckles on the two ends; used for carrying small luggage. 
Tourist suit — a name sometimes given to a s. of tweed or similar 
goods having a Norfolk jacket instead of a sack coat. 
Tourniquet — a bandage with a screw or lever attachment, which 
when applied to a wounded limb stops the flow of blood by ex- 
ternal pressure. 
Tow — inferior flax. 

Tow cloth — old time linen homespun. 

Towel — (1) a cloth, usually of linen, for drying the person after 
washing; (2) when saturated with ice water a most effectiv 
headdress for the morning after. 

Town made — trade term for fabric gloves cut and sewed much 
after the manner of leather gloves. 
Tracer — see Tracing wheel. 

Tracing wheel — a small revolving metal w. with sharp teeth 
and a suitable handle, used for tracing paper patterns, for making 
two or more sheets of pattern paper adhere while being cut 
simultaneously, etc. 



Tra 264 Tro 

Trade journal — a daily, weekly or monthly periodical that essays 
to represent some particular trade or industry. 
Trading stamp — "something for nothing", but like all such prom- 
ises never yet demonstrated ; also a joke vehicle for cheap vaude- 
villians. 

Tram — woof silk of two or more threads of raw silk slightly 
twisted. 

Tramp — a wandering journeyman tailor; a near-hobo. 
Traps — traveling luggage ; personal possessions ; movable prop- 
erty. 

Traveling hat — see Crusher. 

Travers — French textil term indicating weftwise stripes or ribs. 
Treble-milled — sheared and finisht three times. 
Trees — wooden lasts, for shape-retaining purposes, for boots, 
shoes, gloves, etc. 

Trews — the ancient Celtic form of "trousers". 
Tricot — a closely-woven, double-twilled woolen cloth, con- 
structed of two sets of warp threads (one of which is frequently 
cotton) and one of weft, the weave characterized by faint lines or 
ribs running either warpwise or weftwise, usually plain dyed. 
Tricot flannel — a coarse-woven, elastic f. 
Tricot long — t. in which the rib runs lengthwise. See T. 
Trig — spruce ; fine. 

Trigger finger — the forefinger of the right hand. 
Trilby — a soft felt hat with a plush-like surface resembling the 
old fashioned "beaver" ; in shape a sort of Alpine, but varying 
with different makers and with the touches given it by indi- 
vidual wearers. (1908.) 

Trimmers — in clothing manufacturing, the various workpeople 
who match up fabrics with linings, sewing silk, buttons, etc. 
Trimming buttons — any b. used decorativly; more specifically, 
small flat covered b. of from 10 to 24 lines in size, tho satin and 
velvet b. up to 36 lines are also so called ; also round and fancy 
shapes are so called, tho little used in men's wear. 
Triplicate mirror — a m. of three sections (usually framed), con- 
nected together and adjustable so that one may see himself in 
several positions simultaneously. 

Trooper's uniform — see the various descriptions of army uni- 
forms, under Full dress, Dress u., White u., Service u., Fatigue 
u., etc. 

Tropical weight — trade term for suitings averaging 9 to 11 
ounces to the yard. Compare Winter w., Spring w., Summer w., 
Fall w. 

Trousering — any woolen or worsted fabric designed especially 
for trousers, as fancy striped worsteds. 



Tro 265 Try 

Trousers — bifurcated garments for the lower limbs ; called 
"pants" by "gents" ; frequently assumed for the good of the serv- 
ice ( ?) by our better halves. See Broad falls, Narrow falls, 
Evening dress t., Riding t., Gaiter t., etc. Compare Breeches, 
Knickerbockers, Pantaloons, etc. 

Trousers — see Dress t. (army) ; Dungaree t. (navy) ; Full dress 
t. (army, navy and marine corps) ; Service t. (army) ; White t. 
(army) ; Evening dress t. (marine corps) ; Undress t. (marine 
corps) ; Field t. (marine corps) ; Special full dress t. (marine 
corps) . 

Trousers stretcher — a device for keeping t. in shape and wrinkle- 
less by means of tension — and there are many of such devices of 
varying shapes and utility. 

Trousers stripes — (army) for enlisted men: cavalry, yellow; ar- 
tillery, scarlet ; infantry, white ; engineers, scarlet, white piping ; 
ordnance, black, scarlet piping; post quartermaster sergeants, 
buff; post commissary sergeants, cadet gray; hospital corps, 
maroon, white piping; signal corps, orange, white piping; West 
Point service, buff. All non-commissioned officers above rank 
of corporal wear stripes 1% in. wide; corporals J / 2 in.; musicians 
and trumpeters 2 stripes each y 2 in. wide. 
Trowsers — old spelling of trousers. 

Troy — a town in New York where nearly all the collars, cuffs 
and shirts of commerce are made. 

True lover's knot — a kind of double k. with two bows and two 
ends, as a symbol of constancy or fidelity in love ; a k. of ribbon 
given to be worn in token of love and fidelity. 
Trunk — an article of traveling luggage, of various shapes, sizes 
and manufacture ; and constituting the chief means of physical 
culture of baggage smashers. 
Trunk breeches — see T. hose. 

Trunk hose — a kind of full breeches, extending to the middle of 
the thighs, worn in 16th and 17th centuries; invented by James 
I to hide a deformity of hip disease. 

Trunk strap — an extra large, heavy, strong leather s. used when 
trunks are frail or their locks unreliable. 

Trunks — (1) an article of athletic apparel covering the loins and 
no more, usually made of velvet and with an elastic waistband ; 
(2) a jersey for covering the body from the waist to the thighs, 
worn by swimmers, athletes, etc. See Bathing t. 
Truss — (1) a tight-fitting, padded jacket of 16th century; (2) 
trousers; (3) drawers. 

Truss — a metal or rubber spring or belt, with cushioned pad, 
bandages, straps, etc., worn for preventing or reducing hernias. 
Try-on — (n) an unfinisht garment ready for the tailor to fit to 
the customer; (v) to shape, fit and adjust partly made garments 
to their ultimate wearer. 



Tub 266 Tur 

Tub — trade term for washable. 

Tub washt — term applied to wool fleece broken and washt, more 
or less, by hand or machinery. 

Tubbing — a salt water bath in the process of curing furs and 
leather. 

Tubular — having the form of a tube, as shoelaces, braids, certain 
makes of belts, etc. 

Tubular braid — formed by uniting an even number of threads, 
half running right to left, half left to right, crossing alternately 
over and under the threads of the opposing group. 
Tuck — a flat fold in a fabric ; ask your wife to show you the dif- 
ference between a tuck and a plait. 

Tufftaffeta — taffeta silk of the long ago (then much heavier than 
our present-day taffeta) with velvet or plush tufts of nap or 
raised pile, used for doublets and jerkins. 

Tump line — the head-band of pack harness used by hunters, 
prospectors, et al. 

Tunic — a blouse gathered at the waist or allowed to hang free. 
Tunic — (1) an undress military coat; (2) the tight-fitting jacket 
of the British guardsmen. 

Tunic — (1) a sort of shirt or blouse, reaching to the knees, with 
short sleeves, usually fastened with a girdle, worn by the ancient 
Romans; (2) the Greek chiton (qv). 

Tunicle — a close-fitting vestment worn by sub-deacons, of the 
same material as the chasuble, reaching to the sleeves and with 
tight sleeves. 

Tunis hat — a small cap once worn to distinguish a trade or pro- 
fession. 

Turban — (1) a plain cap without visor or brim ; usually of velvet 
or cloth ; (2) an oriental head-covering consisting of a sash, scarf 
or shawl twisted about the tarboosh or cap ; an innocent vanity 
of colonial gentlemen, worn with banyan gown when the wig 
was removed at home, often of velvet and other rich materials, 
high colored and fanciful. 

Turkish yarn — y. made of the hair of the Angora goat; also 
called camlet y. 
Turks' satin — see S. Turk. 
Turn-down collar — see Prussian c. 

Turn list — a 1. kept in dull seasons, by some manufacturing 
concerns or employers, of work to be done and of workpeople, 
so that the latter may, each in his turn, be given his share of 
what work is on hand. 

Turn-over — the turned-in extremity of trouser legs and sleeves. 
Compare Turn-up. 
Turn-over collar — same as Prussian c. 



Tur 267 Twi 

Turn-up — (1) the outwardly folded cuffs on the bottoms of 
trousers legs ; (2) the ordinary turned-under hem on ditto, which 
if folded up is considered a sign of rain in London. 
Turncoat — clothing terms are sometimes wofully prostituted. 
Turned sole — a shoe without an inner s., the uppers of which 
are sewn to a channel cut into the s. while turned inside out. 
When sewn, the shoe is soaked in water until flexible and then 
turned right side out, hence the name. 

Turner's pants — athletic trousers of light weight flannel with 
foot straps. 

Turniket — see Tourniquet. 

Turnip — slang for watch, especially the old fashioned bulbous 
kind. 

Turnip pants — trousers brought out during the late bicycle 
Craze, convertible from ordinary business trousers to cycling 
knickers and vice versa. (Proprietary name.) 
Turtle neck — term applied to knitted sweaters having an extra 
long collar or n. which is turned down or folded over several 
times. Compare V n. 

Tusseh silk — a fine, brilliant s. fabric, very strong, woven from 
s. obtained from the tusseh s. worm of India, bred on the jujube 
tree. 

Tuxedo — see Dinner jacket. 

Tuxedo alpine — a soft or a. hat for semi-formal dress wear, made 
of or covered with silk. 

Tuxedo derby — a d. hat for semi-formal dress wear, made of or 
covered with silk. 

Tuxedo hat — same as above. Also see Dress derby. 
Tweed — general name for twill-woven all-wool fabrics of soft 
open texture, rather loose and coarse in appearance but of good 
weight, having loom-made patterns in stripes, checks and plaids. 
Originally made in Scotland, but now everywhere. See Waulk- 
ing. 

Twentieth century cutting — a style of diamond c. differing 
from brilliant c. (qv) in not having a flat table or face, but 
with the crown facets brought to a point for greater brilliancy. 
Twig — a riding whip or crop. 

Twill — any textil fabric in which the weft threads do not pass 
over and under the warp in alternate succession, as in plain 
weaving, but regularly in a varying arrangement as over one and 
under two, three, four, etc. Technically known as two leaf, three 
leaf, four leaf t., etc. See encyclopedia. 

Twilled — woven in such manner as to produce lines or ribs diag- 
onally or across the surface of the fabric. See above. 
Twills — old Scotch name for tweed. 
Twist — English (trade) term for warp (qv). 



Twi 268 Unb 

Twist — see Buttonhole t. 

Twist stitch — same as Cord s. 

Twist wig — see Wig. 

Twisted — tailoring term indicating that a coat sleeve, a trouser 

leg, etc., is put in badly so as to shift sidewise out of line. 

Twisted — same as damask or jowhir — read a technical work for 

description of the process. 

Twists — trade term for woolen and worsted fabrics woven of 

yarns that are of two colors doubled and twisted together, giving 

a mottled appearance to the pattern effect, as in Bannockburns, 

Drummond worsteds, etc. 

Twitty — mill term for uneven yarns. 

Two-hole — trade term for buttons pierced with 2 holes or eyes. 

Two-piece vamp — a v. composed of two pieces of upper leather. 

Two-year serge — a specially good quality of serge featured by a 

large tailoring firm in London, England, which guarantees it to 

give two years' wear, whence name. 

Tyrolean hat — a sort of alpine or fedora h., soft felt, of a green 

color, having the bow of the band behind and a feather flaunting 

therein. 



u 



Ulster — a long, loose, heavy overcoat for rough or cold weather 
wear, usually double-breasted. 

Ulster collar — a very deep c. made with an extra upward cut or 
notch at the apex of the notch at the step, the purpose being that 
the coat may be buttoned close up to the throat while the c. may 
be lapt over itself and stand straight upward from the throat 
point, which is not possible with any other style of c. 
Ultra — extreme; verging on vulgarity; dangerously near being 
contemptuous. 

Umbrel — vernacular for umbrella. 

Umbrella — an article of luxury and convenience with a penchant 
for changing owners. 

Umpire's mask — a face guard of wire and leather, worn as a pro- 
tection against thrown or batted balls and pop-bottles ; usually 
lighter than a catcher's m. 

Unbasted — trade term for the process of sewing garments to- 
gether without the parts being previously basted together, and 
for the garments so made; likewise applied to the workpeople 
who sew in this manner. 



Unc 269 Und 

Unclad — unclothed. 

Uncle — a custodian of overcoats and jewelry — per consideration. 
Under lining — the inside lining inside or "back" of a vest. 
Under-part — tailoring term for the lower or under side of a pat- 
tern, as the under part of a sleeve. 

Under weight — not up to sample (as of woolen fabrics not as 
heavy as claimed) ; less than contract requirements. 
Underbasting — in clothes manufacture, the operation of basting 
facings and linings to the foreparts of coats as received from the 
underpressers and straighteners. 
Underclothing — those most intimate. 
Undercoat — a body c. ; a suit c. 

Undercollar — tailoring term for the underside of a coat collar, 
usually, but not necessarily, made of a different and softer cloth 
(vide infra). 

Undercollar cloth — a thin, pliable plain woven c. with little or no 
inclination to ravel; a variety of melton or ladies-c. ; used for 
working the underside of coat collars. 

Undergraduate's gown — a long, loose g. of black stuff, ordinarily 
with pointed sleeves. 

Underpresser — a workman who does underpressing (qv). 
Underpressing — in clothing manufacture, the act of taking a 
partly made garment (as a coat in which the outer seams have 
been closed, pockets fitted, interlinings and padding put in place, 
etc.) and subjecting it to ironing under heavy mechanical pres- 
sure. Compare First p. and After p. 
Undershirt — a garment worn next the hide. 
Underside — see Under-part. 
Undertaker's cloth — see Casket c. 

Underwaist — a boy's undergarment with buttons for holding up 
drawers, trousers, etc. 

Undress — in livery, whipcord service garments. 
Undress — (navy) the prescribed attire for all ordinary occasions. 
Generally designated blue u. and white u. For chief petty offi- 
cers, except bandmasters, officers' stewards and officers' cooks: 
blue flannel or serge coat, and trousers, blue cap, white shirt and 
collar or blue flannel shirt (blue flannel or serge waistcoat per- 
mitted ; also clothing that has been long in use as dress may be 
worn for undress); (white u. : same as for dress). For bands- 
men : blue u. coat, blue cloth trousers, blue u. cap ; (white u. : 
white coat and trousers, cap with white cover). For all other 
enlisted men : blue overshirt, blue cloth or flannel trousers, blue 
cap, neckerchief, knife lanyard (seaman branch only) ; (white u. : 
white u. jumper, white u. trousers, white hat, neckerchief, knife 
lanyard (seaman branch only). 



Und 270 Und 

Undress A — (navy) the uniform to be worn when reporting for 
duty, when serving on courts or boards and upon various oc- 
casions of ceremony. Consists of — for all commissioned officers: 
frock coat, u. trousers (white may be prescribed), blue cap 
(white cap or helmet if prescribed), shoulder straps, sword and 
u. belt (except for chaplains), scarf, white gloves; for midship- 
men, warrant officers, mates and clerks, the same, without 
shoulder straps. 

Undress B — (navy) the same as "Undress A", without sword or 
belt. To be worn when calling on foreign officers other than 
commanding officers ; at informal day receptions ; on the deck of 
a vessel going in or out of port. (In hot weather white service 
dress may be ordered.) 

Undress belt — (navy) for officers, a b. of plain black grain 
leather, with mountings as per regulation. 

Undress breeches — (marine corps) for officers, same as full 
dress b. 

Undress cap — (marine corps) a c. similar to the full dress c, but 
y 2 in. less in hight. For major general commandant: a 1^ in. 
band of blue-black velvet; vertical 9 rows of 3 lines of % in- 
black silk tubular braid from edge of band to top of c. in front, 
back and on each side with a knot of 4 double loops of same 
braid on top of c. ; a chin-cord of gold wire attacht to marine 
corps buttons, the visor ornamented with oak leaves embroid- 
ered in gold bullion, ornament of corps device set in gold acorn 
leaves. For all other officers : the same except that the band is of 
lustrous black mohair braid, the ornament to be without the gold 
acorn leaves, and the visor unornamented. For non-commis- 
sioned officers, drummers, trumpeters and privates : of dark blue 
cloth, 3J4 in. high in front, 3 in. high behind, bell shaped crown, 
1$/$ in. black patent leather visor dropt 6o° from horizontal, 
enameled leather chin strap ; other details per specifications. For 
leader of the band, same as prescribed for commissioned officers 
of the corps. For second leader and musicians, same as pre- 
scribed for other enlisted men, except that the c. is covered be- 
tween welts with flat black mohair braid. For drum major, same 
as prescribed for other non-commissioned officers. Summer 
u. : for leader of band, of white duck, same as prescribed for 
commissioned officers ; for second leader, drum major and musi- 
cians, same as prescribed for other enlisted men. 

Undress coat — (navy) for bandsmen, a half-fitting single- 
breasted c. of dark blue flannel with 7 gilt buttons, closing to the 
neck, standing collar, the coat pipe-edged down the front, around 
the bottom, at base of collar, shoulder straps, etc., with scarlet 
cloth ; insignia as per regulation. Same c. is worn by enlisted 
men in the marine corps. 



Und 271 Und 

Undress coat — (marine corps) for major general commandant 
and all officers : a sack c. of dark blue cloth, single-breasted, cut 
half-close, the side seams vented, standing collar (of dark blue 
velvet for major general commandant), trimmed across breast 
with black mohair tubular braid, black frogs and black stuft 
crochet buttons; trimmings, devices, etc., as per regulations. 
Also a white c. of drill or duck, single-breasted sack style, cut 
semi-fitting, with four outside patch pockets, trimmed per regu- 
lations. For non-commissioned officers, drummers, trumpeters 
and privates, a single-breasted sack c. of dark blue flannel, cut 
half-close without center seam in back, in length reaching to the 
crotch, fastened with 7 marine corps buttons, standing collar; 
the c. pipt down front, around the bottom, base of collar, 
shoulder and sleeve straps with scarlet flannel, with other de- 
tails as prescribed. For summer u., a single-breasted sack c. of 
white linen of same pattern and style as prescribed for field c. 
(qv), with brass buttons. For leader of band, of dark blue cloth, 
cut and trimming the same as prescribed for first lieutenant. 
For second leader of band, the same as prescribed for enlisted 
men of the line, with exceptions in trimming, etc. For musi- 
cians, same as prescribed for enlisted men of the line. For drum 
major, same as prescribed for other enlisted men. Summer un- 
dress c. for leader, same as prescribed for commissioned officers 
of marine corps; for second leader, drum major and musicians, 
same as prescribed for other enlisted men of the corps. 
Undress jumper — (navy) same as dress j. (qv) but made entirely 
of white, unbleacht drill, and with sleeves without fitting cuffs ; 
worn as prescribed for dress. 

Undress sword belt — (marine corps) for all officers and leader of 
the band "of fair leather, not stuft russet", 1^4 inches wide, 
with detachable slings to match, trimmings of dull bronze metal. 
Undress trousers — (navy) of dark blue cloth or serge, with plain 
seams. 

Undress trousers — (marine corps) for major general commandant 
and all other officers, blue and white, as prescribed for full dress. 
For non-commissioned officers, drummers, trumpeters and pri- 
vates, the same as prescribed for full dress. For summer u., 
of white linen, as furnished by Quartermaster's department. For 
leader of the band, same as prescribed for full dress for officers 
of the line. For second leader and drum major, same as pre- 
scribed for non-commissioned officers. For musicians, same as 
full dress except a single 3/16 inch welt of scarlet cloth on outer 
seams. Summer u., for leader and all other members of band, 
white linen as furnished by Quartermaster's department. 

Undress uniform — (marine corps) by officers: to be habitually 
worn on duty, unless other u. is prescribed, when reporting for 
duty on or appearing before courts or boards, and when calling 



Und 272 Uni 

upon officials of our own or of a foreign service, or when asso- 
ciated with officers of the navy who are in u. A or B or 
service dress; by enlisted men: habitually on or off duty when 
other u. is not prescribed; by members of the band: likewise. 
Consists of, for all officers: u. coat (blue or white), blue or white 
u. cap (or white helmet), full dress or white trousers, sword with 
white slings (or of leather if worn over blue coat), and u. sword 
knot, white gloves, white standing collar (with blue coat), black 
shoes ; when mounted : dark blue riding breeches, drab leather 
gloves, black boots with spurs ; at drills and exercises, on marches 
and in the field, white gloves may be dispensed with by order of 
commanding officer and russet leather leggings or puttees may be 
ordered. For all enlisted men (including non-commissioned offi- 
cers, drummers and trumpeters) : u. coat (blue or white), blue 
cap or white helmet, blue or white trousers, white gloves, black 
leather shoes (russet with white trousers if prescribed), white 
cap cover over blue cap if prescribed, arms and accouterments as 
ordered. Bandsmen (including leader and drum major), u. coat 
(blue or white), blue or white trousers, blue cap or white helmet, 
sword with u. belt and knot (leader only), white gloves, black 
leather shoes (russet with white trousers if prescribed), white 
cap cover over blue cap if prescribed, accouterments as ordered. 

Undress waistcoat — (navy) a single-breasted, high-buttoning 
w. of dark blue cloth or serge or of white linen duck or similar 
material, without collar, closing with 6 small navy buttons. For 
chaplains the same, but with plain black or white buttons. 
Undrest kid — see Suede. (Undressed.) 

Unfinisht — trade term for fabrics that are not sheared or milled 
and have a slight nap or roughness. (Unfinished.) 

Unfinisht serge — s. that has not been sheared, closely resembling 
u. worsted. 

Unfinisht worsted — a soft, dull finisht, twilled cloth, woven sim- 
ilarly to serge, sparingly sheared so as to leave a soft nap. 
Uniform — livery distinguishing the members of military, naval 
or civil bodies or societies and employes of clubs, corporations, 
etc. Compare Livery. 

Uniform A— (army) full dress; (navy) special full dress; 
(marine corps) special full dress ; worn whenever on occasions 
of ceremony officers of both services are required to appear to- 
gether in uniform, at the White House, etc. 
Uniform B — (army) dress; (navy) service dress; (marine corps) 
undress; worn as stated above in Uniform A and as otherwise 
prescribed. 

Uniform buttons — all metal or other b. for police, fire, military, 
conductors, society or other uniforms, stamped with insignia, 
monograms, etc. 



Uni 273 Uns 

Uniform bag — a b. of canvas, leather, or both, for carrying base- 
ball or other uniforms ; usually constructed on the roll-up pattern. 
Uniform C — (army) full dress or evening u. ; (navy) evening- 
dress A; (marine corps) special full dress; worn as prescribed 
on occasions as stated above in Uniform A. 

Uniform C — (navy) the same as evening dress A but with white 
waistcoat in place of blue; prescribed at discretion of senior 
officer. 

Uniform cloth — (1) a stout, well-fulled, woolen c, similar to ker- 
sey, commonly dyed in navy blue and shades of gray, etc., used 
for police, mail and railroad u. ; (2) any c. suitable for uniforms. 
Uniform roll — a blanket-like sort of carry-all of waterproof can- 
vas, with pockets, straps and handle, largely used by army, ma- 
rine corps, baseball players, etc. 

Uniform tailor — one who makes a specialty and whose busi- 
ness consists largely if not entirely of the making of army, navy, 
band, police, fire and other uniforms and livery. 
Union cassimere — a men's wear fabric woven with a cotton warp 
and a woolen or shoddy weft, of a quality with satinet (qv) but 
with a woven instead of a printed pattern. See Cassimere. 
Union goods — trade term for fabrics woven of different yarns. 
See U. cassimere, U. linen, etc. 

Union label — neither a little thing to look for nor a great thing 
to find. 

Union labor — unobjectionable if "kept in its place", but neverthe- 
less the only means of bringing many an arrogant, arbitrary, 
slave-driving employer to his senses. 
Union linen — a fabric of cotton warp and linen weft. 
Union made — not made by free workmen. 

Union silk — fabrics of s.-and-linen, s.-and-lisle, s.-and-wool, used 
largely for umbrellas. 

Union suit — an undergarment combining in one piece drawers 
and shirt. 

Union tannage — a combination of the oak and hemlock bark 
processes. 

Unmerchantable — term applied to wool partially washt on the 
sheep's back but not sufficiently to be clast as "washt" (qv). 
Unpluckt — furs with the long, stiff hairs not removed, as natural 
seal. 

Unpluckt seal — wool or fur s. with the long guard hairs left in. 
Same term applies to other furs, as otter, etc. 
Unspottable — trade term for broadcloths and other fabrics finisht 
by a waterproofing process so that rain will not leave spots or 
soil marks. 



Unt 274 Vam 

Untwisting test — (cotton vs. linen) cotton threads when un- 
twisted disclose a number of entangled fibers, while in linen yarn 
treated the same way the fibers are much nearer parallel. 
Unwasht — same as "in the grease". 

Up-and-down stitch — in tailoring, any s. that is pulled thru be- 
fore the next one is taken. A prick s. or side s. may be an up-and- 
down s. and the button s. is decidedly one. 
Up-to-date — the man who has bought this book. 
Upland — cotton grown in the inland districts of the Southern 
States. 

Upper — that part of a shoe covering the foot proper. 
Upper Benjamin — a livery coat with a series of shoulder capes ; 
usually of waterproof box cloth. 
Upper ten — rather more exclusiv than "the 400". 
Uppers (to walk on one's) — poor ; shabby. 

Urinal bag — a long, light, rubber b. with straps for attaching to 
leg and waist; worn by persons afflicted with bladder weakness. 
Usher — polite name for floorwalker. 
Utica — a popular brand of shirting muslin. 



V 



V — in tailoring, etc., a triangular dart cut into some part of a 
garment, as at the waist, for the purpose of giving shape. 
V neck — term applied to sweaters having no collar or n., but 
instead a slit or V-shape opening in front. Compare Turtle n. 
Vaccination shield — a metal or papier mache s. attacht by straps, 
worn over the point of v. and beneath the underclothing; a device 
intended to prevent the wasteful and expletiv saying of "ouch"! 
Valencia — a stout, striped or figured vesting material, of silk or 
cotton warp with worsted weft, chiefly used for livery waistcoats. 
Valentian — see Valencia. 

Valet — the gentleman who reads master's letters, wears his 
clothes and at times helps him dress. 

Valet's brush — a long, narrow, straightback b. with graduated 
bristles. 

Valet's livery — none at all ; the valet dresses quietly like most 
people. 

Valeting companies — institutions that "take care" of your ward- 
robe for a monthly consideration. 
Vamp — the forepart of shoe-uppers. See Quarters. 



Vam 275 Vel 

Vampay — a short woolen hose or stocking reaching only to the 
ankles, probably the fore-runner of our modern footless bicycle 
stocking. 

Vamping — the process of stitching a vamp or upper to a top. 
Vandyke — a short, close-trimmed, sharp-pointed beard. 
Vandyke flap — in tailoring a doubly roached f . ; having an edge of 
two concave curves, joined, resulting in points at the ends and in 
the center. 

Vanity — pride: shallow, conceited and obtrusiv. 
Varnish — shoe polish. 

'Varsity — general term for clothes made with some eccentricity 
favored by college boys. 

Veal calf — a variety of shoe leather : a skin coming from a large- 
sized or partly grown calf, or from a younger animal than a skin 
called Runner (qv). 

Vegetable flannel — a coarse, heavy fabric woven of the "wool" 
obtained from pine needles. See Pine wool. 
Vegetable haircloth — see Imitation h. 

Vegetable ivory — the fruit or nuts of a tropical palm (phytele- 
phas macrocarpa) found principally upon the banks of the Es- 
meralda river in South America. While growing the nuts are 
soft and creamy but soon harden, acquiring a texture not unlike 
animal ivory and are used, almost entirely, for making buttons. 
See I. nut. 

Vegetable wool — a peculiar variety of cotton grown in Peru, 
rough, crinkly, strong and closely resembling animal w. 
Veldt coat — similar to the Norfolk or shooting jacket ; made very 
easy in fit, permitting exceptional liberty of action in hunting, 
golf, etc., usually worn without waistcoat. 

Vellum — in military parlance a v. is a measurement of width of 
gold braid. 

Velour — (1) a soft napt, close-bodied woolen cloth for men's 
wear; (2) any fabric of or resembling velvet. 
Velour — a velvet or silk pad for smoothing a silk hat. See Leur. 
Velour — a coined or trade name used to designate a peculiar high 
glaze or finish given to certain kinds of upper leathers. 
Velutine — a kind of corded merino. 

Velvet — a silk fabric with a closely woven back and on the face 
side a thick, short, smooth nap or cut pile ; usually woven double 
and split apart by knives ; made with both silk and cotton backs 
and so denominated. In its various forms and qualities used for 
coat collars, waistcoats, livery, smoking jackets, etc. 
Velvet collar — a c. made of v. instead of same goods as body of 
garment; practically confined to overcoats. See also Inlaid c. 
and Laid-on c. 



Vel 276 Vic 

Velvet finish — a form of f. given to overcoatings and similar 
cloths having a heavy nap — in some of which it is left curly, 
while on others it is left standing out. Compare Bareface f., 
Scotch f., Dress faced. 

Velveteen — a silk-and-cotton or all-cotton velvet. 
Venetian — a stout, closely-woven, fine worsted cloth having a 
roundish, upright twill, commonly dyed in plain colors, moder- 
ately fulled, milled and cropt bare in finishing and given a high 
luster. 

Venetian — a twilled lining material of cotton warp and worsted 
weft, also known as Italian cloth. Compare Farmer's satin. 
Venetians — a sort of knee breeches, reaching to just below the 
knee, said to have originated in Venice ; same as galligaskins. 
Vent — in tailoring (1) an opening; usually the lower parts of 
seams, for varying distances, according to style or taste, not 
closed but left open and lapt over or finisht to meet ; (2) an out- 
let (qv). 

Ventilated shoe — a s. having a more or less ornamental series of 
perforations or cut-out designs in the uppers, in appearance 
resembling a compromise between shoe and sandal. 
Verger's gown — a plain g. of black stuff, with velvet collar, and 
with short, open-slasht sleeves. 

Vertical pocket — a slasht or welted perpendicular p., opening 
thru the lining or not. See Raincoat p. 
Vest — see Waistcoat. 

Vest corner stiffener — a device made of flexible copper wire, de- 
signed to be inserted between the material at the cutaway or 
lower corners of a waistcoat, with the intention of keeping the 
same from curling up. Not needed with a well-made waistcoat 
— and perhaps not likely to spoil a cheap one. 
Vest maker — a journeyman tailor who makes waistcoats his 
specialty. 

Vest sweater — a sleeveless, collarless s., open in front and closed 
with buttons. 
Vestee — see Vestlet. 

Vestlet — a shaped strip of white linen or other material pinned 
or otherwise fastened around the neck of a waistcoat, inside, so 
that a mere edging of white will show. 
Vestment — loosely, any ecclesiastical garment. 
Vestwo — proprietary name for a reversible vest or waistcoat 
made not with an inner lining, as is usual, but of two different 
fabrics, so that either side may be worn outward. 
Vici kid — a trade mark name used to designate a particular 
method of tanning or finishing goat skins ; also the shoe leather 
as produced. 

Vicuna — (1) the wool of a South American animal of the camel 
tribe, distinguisht for exceeding softness and lightness — but be- 



Vis 2J7_ Wad 

cause of its scarcity fine merino wool is largely substituted and 
so called ; (2) heavily napt suiting and overcoating cloths of fine, 
soft, silky texture, usually twill woven, and plain dyed or in 
Oxford mixtures. 

Viscolized — a coined trade mark word used to designate a par- 
ticular oily waterproofing process used for finishing or preserv- 
ing both sole and upper leathers, used for hunting, fishing and 
tramping boots. See Stuft leather. 
Viscolized calf — see foregoing. 
Visor — see Vizor. 

Viyella — proprietary name for a sort of fine flannel. 
Visiting case — (1) a variety of suit c. ; (2) one of many names 
for suit cases. 

Vizor — (1) a projecting piece on a cap, forming a shield for the 
eyes ; (2) the front-piece of a helmet with openings for seeing and 
breathing; (3) a mask. 

Vladimir — a velour-finisht cassimere, made of fine Australian 
wool, giving a peculiar soft "handle". 

Vulgar — not in good taste, as loud colors, readymade scarves, 
collar springs, dissonant shoe laces, redundant jewelry, inappro- 
priate articles of attire at dress functions. 

Vulgarian — sartorially, a horrible example, and the chief patron 
of the cheap tailor and flash readymader; if of the new rich, a 
shining mark for the gaudy "swell" haberdasher and conscience- 
less tailor. 



w 



Wadding — the tailor's expedient for making a lanky, gawky cus- 
tomer look well in the eyes of his best girl and fellow creatures ; 
specifically thin sheets or layers of carded cotton or batting, 
usually of a dull slate color, the outsides of which are glazed for 
strength (such as it is). Compare Padding. 
Waders — rubber hunting boots reaching to the thighs or waist. 
Wading boots — see Waders. 

Wading pants — rubber coverings for the legs and lower part of 
the body, made with rubber stocking feet or with boot soles. 
Wading shoe — a leather or leather-and-canvas laced s., opening 
down to the toe, with a sewed on sole studded with hobnails. 
Wading stocking — long hose of rubber, with soft rubber feet, 
attacht by a strap to the waist belt. 
Wadmoll — a very coarse, felted woolen stuff (obsolete). 



Wai 278 Warn 

Waist — that part of the body between the chest and the hips 
lying beneath the ribs or thorax and above the haunchbones ; the 
narrow part of the trunk. The "fashionable waist" of tailors is 
sometimes above and sometimes below the natural w. 

Waist — see Shirt-w. ; also Under-w. 

Waist-band — (1) the upper part of trousers and drawers; (2) a 
sash. 

Waist-cloth — a strip of cotton or linen c. worn around the waist 
and hanging below it or passed between the thighs, worn by the 
unregenerate heathen. 

Waistcoat — a short, sleeveless body garment worn between the 
coat and the shirt, the foreparts of which are made of cloth to 
match the suit or of fancy material, the backs being of a silk or 
mohair or cotton lining material on the outside, with a thinner 
fancy or plain silk or cotton lining on the inside ; usually 4 
welted pockets outside and one in the inside lining; vulgarly a 
"vest". 

Waistcoating — the proper name, but see Vesting. 
Waisted — shaped with or having a waist. 

Waiter's jacket — a sort of tuxedo coat, cut off short at the waist, 
similar to a military mess j. 
Waiter's livery — same as Footman's dress 1. 
Waiter's shoes — easy s. of soft leather, with light turned soles 
and low heels. 

Wald wolle — forest wool (qv). 

Wale — a ridge, rib or flattish streak appearing above the ground- 
work of a woven fabric, usually a result of twilling. 
Walking coat — resembling a cutaway frock c, but a trifle shorter 
and usually with pocket flaps on hips, and more frequently made 
of fancy suitings. Also called English walking c. and morning 
frock. 

Walking frock — same. 

Walking gloves — g. of heavy leather. Compare Dress g. 
Walking stick — a cane — supposed to complete a man's street 
equipment. 

Wall trunk — a t. so hinged that the top and back form a straight, 
vertical line when opened and permit setting close to wall. 
Wallaby — a sort of small kangaroo ; hide used in fancy "leather 
goods". 

Wallet — a leather pocketbook for carrying bank notes length- 
wise, also other incunabulae such as bills, billet-deux, billets 
d'amour, etc. 

Wambais — a name once given to some sort of garment quilted 
with wool flax or tow. 

Wammus — a sort of heavy, loose knitted, cardigan jacket, usually 
belted; a mosey; also spelt wamus and warmus. 



Warn 279 War 

Wampen system — an "anthropometrical system" which, like all 
other tailoring systems, is of alleged perfection; invented by a 
German scientist of that name. 

Wampum — Indian bead work used variously for necklaces, brace- 
lets, belts, etc., and among the early colonists as money. 
Wamsutta — a brand of heavy muslin extensivly used for shirts. 
Wangan — hunters' term for clothing, cooking utensils, articles of 
personal comfort and other incommodia taken on a camping-out 
hunting trip. 

Wangan bag — a waterproof canvas b., about the size of a meal b., 
for transporting hunters' suplies (see Wangan) from camp to 
camp. 

War paint — (1) an Indian's gala decoration; (2) cant for one's 
best clothes when donned for purposes of conquest. 
Wardrobe — (1) one's collection of garments; (2) a clothes-closet. 
Wardrobe trunk — a t., variously constructed, but usually in- 
tended to stand apparently on end, opening up so that garments 
are properly held on hangers and kept in place with straps to 
prevent bunching; also often with a series of drawers or parti- 
tions for smaller articles of apparel. 
Warmus — see Wammus. 

Warp — the threads which are extended lengthwise in the loom 
and crossed by the filling or weft ; sometimes called chain or end. 
Warp — in mill parlance "a warp" is the quantity of chain re- 
quired to fully equip a loom, about 400 yards or enough for eight 
50-yard pieces of a pattern, which is the least a mill usually will 
start to weave, altho occasionally "half a w." will be put on. 
Hence, if a buyer order one piece of a certain pattern and no one 
else should order of that particular style, the solitary buyer 
would not be likely to get his goods, the alleged reason usually 
being that of delay. 

Warp beam — the roller or b. in a loom on which the w. is wound. 
Warp dresser — a machine for sizing yarns before placing them in 
the loom. 

Warp mill — a machine for arranging the threads for laying the 
w. in a loom. 

Warp-printed — trade term for fabrics (usually silks) wherein 
the pattern or design is p. on the warp threads before weaving, 
the filling being of plain color or neutral shades. 
Warp wing — a proprietary term distinguishing a certain make of 
shirt collars, the wings or points of which are inserted the way of 
the w., it being claimed that w. threads are stronger than weft 
threads, and hence such collars are more likely to stand the wear 
and tear of laundering longer than collars made in the usual way. 
Warping — the process of making warp. 



Was 280 Wat 

Wash cloth — a small, square of terry or other material, for toilet 
purposes. 

Wash clothes — (nautical) garments that have been washt and 
hung on the line to dry. 

Wash goods — trade term for fabrics, manufactured articles of 
apparel, etc., designed to be washt or laundered. 
Wash suit — trade term for garments made of washable materials, 
particularly for boys and children's wear. 

Washable — (1) that may be washt or laundered without injury 
to color, texture or finish; (2) goods without special Glaze or 
Finish. 

Washed — see Washt. 
Washer — one of the old names for kersey. 

Washerlady — a person who helps others keep up a good appear- 
ance, sometimes at her own expense ; as bad a bill-collector as 
the tailor, and an individual who knows more secrets than she 
gets paid for keeping. 

Washerwoman — many prefer the title "washerlady" (qv). 
Washing — see Scouring. 
Washing mitten — see Bath m. 

Washington navy serge — a fine grade, wool-dyed worsted s. of 
exceptional tensil strength and wearing qualities, of a permanent 
rich indigo color, adopted by the U. S. Government as the stand- 
ard for naval officer's uniforms. Made by the Washington 
mills, one of the largest plants in America, if not in the world. 
Washt — jewelry trade term for very cheap jewelry of base metal 
with a light electroplating of gold. (Washed.) 
Washt — term for fleece washt on the sheep before clipping by 
means of cold water. Compare Scoured, Tub washt and Unmer- 
chantable. (Washed.) 

Watch — (1) a pocket timepiece; (2) a means of occasional emer- 
gent restoration of finances. 

Watch Albert — a guard, usually of leather and metal, worn at- 
tacht to the lapel buttonhole, the w. being carried in the outside 
breast pocket of coat. 

Watch cap — a knitted c. of navy-blue worsted, conical in shape, 
worn by enlisted men in the navy on working duty. 
Watch coat — general name for overcoats worn by sailors on w. 
in cold weather, at night, etc. 

Watch-guard — a chain, cord or ribbon attacht to a w. at one end 
and to the person at the other. 

Watch pocket — (1) a small p. inserted in the waistband of trou- 
sers ; also called fob p. ; (2) the lower left-hand p. of a waistcoat. 
Watch wristlet — a leather w. with a small watch embedded there- 
in, worn by chappies at pretty outdoor games and by some mo- 
tormen on street cars. 



Wat 281 Wed 

Water bag — a b. made of linen duck for carrying drinking water 
while hunting, exudation and evaporation cooling the contents. 
Water stiff — trade term for felt hats of the cheaper grades, stiff- 
ened by a w. process. See Wine s. 
Watered — see Moire. 

Waterfall — a sort of puff scarf, not crost in front ; a once-over. 
Watermarks — spots or discolorations on goods (as woolen cloths, 
etc.), happening during process of sponging. 
Waterproof — general name for any textil fabric so treated, by 
rubber or chemicals or otherwise, that it repels instead of ab- 
sorbing water. See Cravenette. 

Waterproofing — the method or process of rendering fabrics im- 
pervious to water, for which there are many formulae, each "the 
best". See an encyclopedia. 

Water wings — pneumatic aids for swimming learners. 
Wattle weave — a style of straw hat not easy to describe unless 
you know what wattle is. 
Waukenphast — a sort of orthopedic shoe. 

Waulking — a finishing process in the manufacture of Harris 
tweeds and other homespun woolens of British crofting locali- 
ties: the cloth after weaving being laid out on long tables or 
boards, soap and water liberally poured on and the cloth vigor- 
ously pommeled by hand until sufficiently fulled or thickened, 
after which it is washt in clear, cold, running water, and is then 
ready for the market. 

Wax — general term for various waxes used in the trades, as 
beesw., shoemaker's w., etc. 

Wax calf — calf-skin tanned and finisht for upper leather, on the 
flesh side. 

Wax cloth — trade term for waterproof fabrics treated by a par- 
affin process. 

Wax-end — in shoemaking, a stout thread or its end, made stiff 
and pointed with wax or waxed and twisted with a bristle. 
Wearables — clothes; wearing apparel. 
Weather test — see Exposure t. 
Weatherproof — rain-proof. 

Weaving — the mechanical process of manufacturing textil fabrics 
from yarns or threads. Very interesting and important but too 
complicated for the limited scope of this concise book — consult 
some good encyclopedia or work on textil processes and then get 
permission to go thru a mill. 

Web thumb — trade term for a flexible connecting piece between 
t. and forefinger of baseball gloves. See Fielder's glove 
Wedding outfit — a collection of sartorial elegance that one ex- 
pends much pains to acquire and later wonders why he did it. 



Wed 282 Wei 

Wedding ring — equivalent to the "sold" tickets placed on furni- 
ture in the shops ; custom permits men to wear them as well as 
women — but few are brave enough. 
Wedge heels — see Spring h. 
Weeds — mourning. 

Weft — the woof or filling of a fabric ; the threads that cross the 
warp from selvage to selvage. 

Weichsel — aromatic cherry wood, used for canes, umbrella han- 
dles, cigar holders, etc. 

Weight — in piece goods the number of ounces a yard of material 
weighs. See Winter w., Spring w., Summer w., Tropical w., 
Fall w. 

Weighted silk — s. that in dyeing has been so weighted or loaded 
with superfluous heavy chemicals, gums, etc., as to weigh con- 
siderably more than before dyeing. Compare Pure dye. See 
Weighting. 

Weighted silk test — apply lighted match and if flame continues 
a few seconds after removal of match, silk is w. 
Weighting — in silk dyeing the process of surcharging the yarn 
or fabric with gums, mineral matter, etc., for the purpose of mak- 
ing the goods seem stout and heavy; also called loading. 
Welfare work — name felicitously applied to polite intermeddling 
in employes' affairs by large corporations; a sort of paternalism 
that stimulates an artificial interest in the business and a covert 
study of how to break the golden rule ; a variant of the living-in 
system of English shop assistants ; also a variant of our modern 
slum settlement work. 

Well-brusht — clean, neat, presentable. (W.-brushed.) 
Wellington boot — a tight-fitting b. of fine leather, the tops usu- 
ally of morocco, hugging the calf closely and coming to a point 
in front and there finisht with a small colored silk tassel ; a style 
of the early part of the last century. 

Wellington cloak — a military style of cape, such as is latterly 
worn by mounted policemen. 

Wellington frock — the single-breasted f. coat of 1818; perhaps 
the first of modern coats cut with a waist seam. 
Wellington hat — a U. S. military h. of early in the 19th century, 
long, narrow, high, with a small tassel or roset on the two ex- 
treme points of the turned-up brim. 
Wellington trousers — see Pantaloon t. 
Wellingtons — see above. 

Welt — in tailoring (1) a strip of material seamed to a pocket 
opening as a finishing as well as strengthening device ; (2) a 
raised or swelled lap seam ; (3) a covered cord or ornamental 
strip sewed on a border or along a seam. In knitting (1) a flap 
knitted separately and then joined to the main fabric by looping 



Wei 283 Wey 

or hand knitting, as the heel piece of a stocking; (2) a ribbed 
piece forming the finishing end, as of a sleeve or sock, to prevent 
rolling. In glove making (1) a piece fastened on the edge of a 
seam; (2) a sewed on hem-finish at the wrist of a glove. In 
shoemaking a strip of leather set into the seam between the 
edges of the upper and outer sole, thru which they are sewed to- 
gether. See Goodyear w., McKay sewed, W. sole, etc. 
Welt cutter — a machine for notching welts for boots and shoes 
to make them lie smoothly in position. 

Welt leather — any 1. fit for making shoe welts ; usually the shoul- 
der ends of hides. 

Welt machine — a m. for cutting leather into strips to be used as 
shoe welts. 

Welt seam — in tailoring a lapt s. with the top edge turned under 
thus raising or swelling it ; a raised or swelled s. 
Welt seam — (glove term) an inseam (qv) with a strip of leather 
between the join acting as a protector to the stitches, used only 
on working gloves of very stout leathers. 

Welt sole — (1) a name used for designating a particular method 
of attaching the outer s. to a shoe ; that is, the s. is stitcht to a w. 
and the w. to the inner sole and upper ; (2) a shoe made by the w. 
process. There are various methods of using a w. ; Goodyear w. 
being the best known ; Mock w. being an imitation of the Good- 
year process; McKay w. being a process where the McKay 
method of attaching the outer s. is used in connection with a 
w. in imitation of the Goodyear process. 

Welted pocket — a p. without a covering flap finisht with a sewed- 
on strip or welt and stitcht to match the edges and seams. 
Welting — the process in modern shoe making following that of 
lasting — the surplus leather being trimmed off, the shank tackt 
in place, the bottom filled with cork (if at all) and the sole put 
on. See Welt sole. 

West-of-England — trade term for extra fine dress worsteds, 
broadcloths, etc. ; properly from woolen manufacturing towns in 
the west of England. (Bradford, Huddersfield, Leeds, etc.) 
West Point overcoat — one of the many names applied to an 
ulster-like coat brought out during the winter of 1907-08 — both 
single and double-breasted, buttoning to the throat, with a high 
Prussian collar. 

West Point uniform — see Cadet u. 

Western Union messenger's uniform — see Telegraph m. u. 
Wether wool — all clippings subsequent to the first clip from the 
young sheep. See Lamb's w. 

Weybosset — one of the oldest American woolen mills, at one 
time famous for its original patterns in cloths, which were in 
great demand and widely copied. 



Wha 284 Whi 

Whale fin — one of the trade names for whalebone. 
Whalebone — a horny substance from the throat of the whale, 
used as stiffening in corsets, etc. 

Whangee — any of several varieties of bamboo (Chinese and Jap- 
anese) used for walking sticks. 

What-d'ye-call-'ems — colloquial for drawers, breeches, and the 
like. 

Wheel piece — an extra p. patcht on to the plait-side of the skirt 
of a frock coat, necessitated by inability to cut the pattern whole 
from narrow-width goods, the seam being concealed in the folds 
or plaits ; once a common expedient, but now with double-width 
goods seldom, if ever, necessary. 

Wheeling — a process for indenting a fancy figuring or line around 
the heel of a shoe or for indenting a conventional figure or line 
on the bottom of a shoe as one of the finishing processes. See 
Heel seat w. 

Wherewithal — vernacular for the means of purchasing, etc. ; 
money. 

Whipcord — a worsted fabric with rounded cords or ribs extend- 
ing diagonally across the surface ; usually dyed in plain colors or 
woven in mixtures of oxford, tan with white, etc. 
Whipping the cat — up to about 50 years ago or thereabout it was 
the practise of country tailors to go about from house to house 
and from town to town and cut and make on the premises such 
clothing as the household needed, usually from the homespun 
cloth made by the housewives. This was called "whipping the 
cat". 

Whipstitch — to sew the edge of a fabric or a seam with long, 
wrapping stitches; to overcast. 
Whisk — small, short-handled clothes-broom. 

White cap — (army) for officers, of white linen or white duck, 
conforming to the pattern of the service c, with a band of white 
braid, and with visor, strap, buttons as prescribed for dress c. ; 
no badge ; for enlisted men, same as for officers, omitting the 
white braid ; (marine corps) for all officers, of white duck, of same 
pattern as undress c, trimmed with white braid, the base of the 
c. to a depth of one-quarter inch all around to be of dark blue 
cloth. 

White coat — (army) for all officers, a c. of white linen duck or 
other material, cut and made after the same (general) pattern as 
the (blue) dress c. (qv), the braid trimming being also white; 
for enlisted men, a single-breasted sack c. of bleacht cotton duck, 
of regulation pattern, with collar ornaments as for dress c. 
White dress coat — (navy) for chief petty officers, except band- 
master, and for officer's stewards and officer's cooks: of bleacht 
cotton drill of pattern prescribed for blue coats of the several 



Whi 285 Whi 

ratings, unlined, with patch-pockets without flaps; for bands- 
men, the same as for enlisted men of the marine corps. 
White evening dress coat — (navy) see Evening d. c. 
White gold — an alloy of 5 parts of silver to one of gold. 
White goods — general trade term embracing all white cotton and 
linen fabrics ; also staple articles of apparel in white. 
White helmet — (marine corps) — for all officers, non-commis- 
sioned officers, drummers, trumpeters and privates, same as 
standard sample in quartermaster's office ; with special full dress 
and full dress, the spike and spike base will be worn; with un- 
dress or field uniforms the ventilator top only. No corps device. 
White lapel — nickname for a lieutenant in the English navy, 
alluding to the w. lapels formerly worn on the coat. 
White rose — a perfume sufficiently explained by its name. 
White service coat — (navy) for officers, similar in cut and fit to 
the blue s. c, of white linen duck, bleacht cotton twill, or other 
suitable material, without braid trimming, and buttoning thru 
with 5 large, gilt navy buttons (except for chaplains, which are 
white), and having on each breast a buttoned patch pocket; ap- 
propriate shoulder marks per rank. 

White service dress — (navy) a uniform to be worn at all times 
not otherwise provided for, and instead of other uniform in hot 
weather, on occasions of ceremony, when offense would not 
thereby be given, if prescribed by the senior officer present. 
Consists of, for all commissioned officers and midshipmen, w. s. 
coat, w. trousers, w. cap (or helmet), shoulder marks; for war- 
rant officers, mates and clerks, the same without shoulder marks. 
White trousers — (army) for officers, of same material as coat, 
without stripe, welt or cord ; for enlisted men : of bleacht cotton 
duck without stripes. 

White undress coat — (marine corps) see Undress c. 
White uniform — (army) worn by all officers, dismounted, when 
authorized by the commanding officer, but not on occasions of 
duty with troops; consists of w. coat, w. trousers, w. cap, w. 
canvas or black leather shoes ; for enlisted men, dismounted, 
worn when prescribed by commanding officer for off-duty wear, 
but not on dress occasions : w. coat, w. trousers, w. cap, w. can- 
vas or black leather shoes. 
White wax — bleacht beeswax. 
White working dress — (navy) see Working d. 
Whitecaps — a sort of vigilance committee, robed in white with 
white caps on their nocturnal morality raids. 
Whitewings — a piccadilly shirt collar. See Wing collar. 
Whitewings — a name given to the white uniformed street clean- 
ers organized in New York by Col. Waring and now copied by 
many large cities. 
Whiting — British for bleaching. 



Whi 286 Wil 

Whitney — (1) a heavy, coarse, sturdy woolen stuff of 18th cen- 
tury, used for coats, breeches, etc.; (2) a soft bodied overcoat 
cloth, resembling chinchilla but with the face tufted in trans- 
verse ridges. 

Whitney long — same as Whitney (2) but with the face tufting 
running longitudinally instead of transversely. 
Whole back — tailoring term indicating (1) a coat made with a b. 
in one piece, without seams, (2) the backpart of a frock coat cut 
in one piece (without a center seam and not stubbed or cut 
across), the skirts of which may be open or closed. Compare 
Frock b., Stubbed b., Step b., False b. Skirt. 
Whole falls — see Broad f. 

Whole-sole — to put entire new (lower) soles to a worn shoe, boot, 
etc. 

Whole vamp — see Long v. 

Wholesale — selling in quantity, to retailers; jobbing. 
Whytlaw — general trade term for fine shirting ginghams, ma- 
drasses, etc., manufactured by R. A. Whytlaw, Son & Co., Glas- 
gow, Scotland. 

Wide-awake — a soft, broad-brimmed, felt hat. 
Wide wale — general name for flat-twilled close finisht worsted 
suitings with warp-wise or diagonal wales or flat ribs, often quite 
wide. Compare Narrow w. 

Widower's weeds — equivocal manifestations of uxorial grief. 
Wig — an arrangement of false hair for concealing baldness or for 
the supposed adornment of the head ; origin lost in antiquity. 
From the time of Louis XIII until nearly the close of the 18th 
century gentlemen could not or would not appear without one. 
In those days wigs were of innumerable sizes and shapes and 
bore descriptiv names, those of England and colonial America 
being often whimsical and, to us now, grotesque, as : Adonis, 
allonge, beau peruke, bob, brigadier, campaign, club, cut-w., 
corded wolf's-paw, Count Saxe's mode, giddy feather-top, Gre- 
gorian, grave full-bottom, Grecian fly, Jansenist, lavant, lawyer's 
long-tail, fox-tail, full-bottom, feathertop, macaroni toupee, ma- 
jor, minor, neck lock, scratch, spinach seed, she-dragon, snail 
back, Ramillies, tie, twist, royal bird, tuck, wild boar's back, 
valiancy, dalmahoy, rhinoceros, Tyburn, cauliflower, curley roys, 
minister's bob, airy levants, etc. Wigs are still worn on the 
English bench and by the speaker of the House of Commons. 
Wigan — a very stiff, open, canvas interlining material used by 
tailors for stiffening and giving shape to flies, cuffs, vest-fronts, 
collars, etc. Also spelt wiggin, wigging, etc. 
Willeying — a mechanical process for untangling and cleaning 
wool fleece. (Fr. name of the inventor.) 
Willie — too good to live. 



Wil 287 Win 

Willow pattern — an effect in straw hat braids, so woven as to 
resemble a willow basket in texture, tho much finer, of course. 
Willowing — see Willeying. 

Willowing machine — a machine for cleaning and opening textil 
fibers and wools preparatory to the spinning processes. Also 
called opening m. and devil. 

Wilsonia magnetic hat — a h. that had a tremendous vogue during 
the third quarter (?) of the last century because supposed to be 
infallible as a cure for headache, neuralgia, etc., owing to small 
strips of magnetised steel sewed to a cloth band which was at- 
tacht to the h. inside the leather sweat-lining. (Name from that 
of the manufacturer?) 

Wincey — a cloth, plain or twilled, usually with a cotton warp and 
and wool filling. 
Wind muff — see W. shield. 

Wind shield — a silk or light rubber part sewed to the lining of a 
coat sleeve near the cuff, with an elastic or drawing cord to make 
it fit snugly to the wrist for the purpose of excluding wind while 
automobiling, etc. 

Window garments — generally speaking, g. that are much better 
than the g. actually delivered to the customer ; a favorit device of 
the "cheap tailor" for attracting trade, being made almost in- 
variably by highly paid journeymen tailors, and representing in 
the case of coats a cost from $8 to $15 for making alone, against 
say $2.50 to $5 that it would cost the tailor himself to produce in 
his own shops; naturally such coats are not for sale, except at 
the end of the season, and then for as much as they will bring; 
the readymade clothier also occasionally indulges in this practice 
— the really fashionable tailor almost never, as he seldom has 
show windows and as seldom advertises; besides his everyday 
g. are as good in workmanship and usually superior in style. 
Window of the sole — proprietary term for a paper label attacht 
by its edges to the center of a shoe s., on the outside, the space 
beneath not being stained, while the rest of the s. is both stained 
and polisht; removal of the "window" covering exposing and 
attesting the quality of the leather; a trade mark of the Regal 
Shoe Co. 

Window trimmer — a man who generally understands the psy- 
chology of attracting attention. 

Windsor cap — a fur c. with a high, full, round crown and a wide, 
rolling band, high at rear and sloping to a short, rolled peak in 
front. 

Windsor leather — a straight-grained, stampt 1. used for hand lug- 
gage. 

Windsor tie — affected by would-be bohemians and forced upon 
helpless children such as would-be little Lords Fauntleroy. 



Win 288 Woo 

Wine stiff — trade term for felt hats stiffened by a preparation of 
alcohol. See Water s. 

Wing collar — a standing shirt c. with triangular, turned-back 
points or wings ; also known as Piccadilly and "white wings". 
Wing tip — an ornamental tip on a shoe, which instead of be- 
ing cut off at right angles or in a straight line as ordinary tips, is 
carried back along the sides. 

Wining — in hat making the act or process of putting a solution 
of shellac upon the edge of a brim to re-enforce or harden same. 
Winter mink — m. caught in the cold winter months; the finest 
quality. Compare Spring m. 

Winter tan — any extra stout t. leather used for heavy footwear, 
particularly storm boots. 

Winter weight — in the woolens trades suitings of 16 to 20 ounces 
and overcoatings of 24 to 30 ounces to the yard are so known. 
Compare Spring w., Fall w., Summer w., Tropical w. 
Wipe — a handkerchief. 

Wiping in — the process of shaping the toe or other parts of a 
shoe by means of iron wipers or grippers. 
Witch — the shed motion of a loom. See Dobbie. 
Witney — a heavy cloth. See Whitney. 

Woad — (1) an herb of the mustard family (esatis tinctoria), used 
by the ancient Britons for staining their bodies and later by dyers 
as a dye and as a ferment ; (2) the blue dye obtained from the 
leaves of the plant but now almost entirely superseded by indigo, 
with which, however, it is occasionally mixt to promote fermen- 
tation. 

Woaded — dyed or tattooed with woad. 

Wombat — an Australian animal, somewhat like a small bear. 
Wood silk — a textil fiber produced by chemical treatment of 
wood pulp, making yarns of good strength and great brilliancy 
and softness, permanent except against the action of water. See 
Artificial s. 

Wood yarn — cellulose fiber converted into flat strips of requisit 
thickness and width and then spun into textil y., sometimes alone 
and sometimes, for greater strength, around a minute cotton 
thread, forming the material known as Xylolin (qv). This y. can 
be woven into almost any fabric or form, such as dress and cloth- 
ing fabrics, bathing suits, underwear, imitation Panama hats, 
carpets, bagging, draperies, etc. It is washable and cleanable, 
and is not especially combustible. 

Woof — (1) the threads that cross the warp in weaving; the weft 
or filling; (2) a term sometimes used to indicate finisht cloth or 
textures. 

Wool — the fleece of sheep ; used for textil and similar purposes. 
In grading the shorn staple the most common practise is to 
classify it into three grand divisions, to wit: (1) carding or cloth- 



Woo 289 Woo 

ing w. (also called "short staple" [2 to 4 inches long]), such as 
merino, having special felting properties ; (2) combing w. (also 
called "long staple" [4 to 10 inches long]), in which length of 
staple is first consideration and felting properties are not desired, 
being appropriate for hard-spun worsted yarns ; (3) miscellane- 
ous, a grouping of long, strong, coarse w. suitable for blankets, 
carpets (sometimes known by these and other names), coarse 
clothing, etc. These, again, are subdivided into the following 
grades : 

XX Combing, or the very finest, 6 inches and above in length. 

No. 1 Combing, or 2d. finest, 6 inches and above in length. 

No. 2 Combing, or 3d. finest, 6 inches and above in length. 

Braid Combing, or coarse hair, 6 inches and above in length. 

Fine No. 1, medium stapled, 5 to 6 inches in length. 

Medium or No. 2, 5 to 6 inches in length. 

Carding No. 1 and Kid, less than 5 inches in length. 
Short staple wools are also known as picklock (finest), prime, 
choice, super, head, seconds, abb and breech or livery; long 
staple or worsted wools are also classed as fine, blue, neat, brown, 
breach, downright, seconds, abb. Wools are further graded ac- 
cording to the parts of the body from which sheared, the physical 
condition of the fleece (as common hair, dead, kemp, crossbreed, 
y 2 blood, 54 blood, etc.), the country where produced (as Aus- 
tralian, territory, Oregon, Ohio), etc. The manufacturer in turn 
makes from fifteen to twenty or more sorts, according to the 
kind of yarn and goods he produces, and each mill has its own 
standard and nomenclature. Short staple wools are the finest 
and long staple the coarsest. The value of combing hair in- 
creases with every inch of length, other conditions being equal. 
The scope of this work does not permit an extended treatis 
(which the subject merits) — so you had better consult some au- 
thoritativ book on wools and weaving, or some good encyclo- 
pedia. 

Wool backt — a worsted fabric, of typical worsted face, but with 
a backing of w., the pattern not going thru ; plated. See Thru- 
and-thru. (W. backed.) 

Wool clip — one season's c. or shearing of w. 
Wool dyed — d. in the w. before making into cloth. Compare 
Ingrain dye. 

Wool extract — see Extract w. 

Wool felt — hatter's term for felts (and hats thereof) made from 
sheep's w. The process said to have been discovered by St. 
Clement, who, while on a pilgrimage, pluckt a handful of w. 
from a sheep by the wayside and placed it in his sandals; the 
action of walking and heat from his feet formed the w. into a 
compact mass. 
Wool-in-the-grease — (1) uncleaned w. ; (2) a clip. 



Woo 290 Wra 

Wool seal — a heavier and more hairy pelt than the fur s., used 
for less expensiv garments. Also the hide of this species of seal 
furnishes the leather and fur pocketbooks, belts, bags, etc. Com- 
pare Fur s. 

Wool shears — a tool very much like lawn (grass) shears. 
Wool sorter's disease — a kind of blood poisoning from infected 
w., probably anthrax. 
Woolenet — a light-weight woolen fabric. 

Woolens — general name for cloths made of carded wool in con- 
tradistinction to worsteds (of combed w.) ; usually soft woven. 
Work-in — see Hold-in. 

Working coat — (1) a weatherproof sack c, either single or dou- 
ble-breasted, worn in place of both suit-coat and overcoat ; usu- 
ally of leather, canvas, corduroy, etc., (2) a jumper. 
Working dress — (navy) attire prescribed to be worn by details 
of men or others engaged in work for which it may be necessary. 
For all but ordinary enlisted men, both blue and white w. d. is 
the same as blue and white undress, but the w. d. prescribed for 
"all other enlisted men" may be drawn and worn during work 
such as requires it; for all other enlisted men: blue w. d., blue w. 
jumper, blue cloth or flannel trousers, blue cap, no neckerchief 
nor knife lanyard. White w. d. : same as white undress, but old 
clothes may be worn. 

Working jumper — (navy) same as undress j. (qv), but made of 
dark blue flannel. 

Working shoe — any stout s. of coarse leather, usually on the 
brogan order. 

World-beater — term of real or assumed enthusiasm employed by 
some salespeople, advertisement writers, et al., in commendation 
of really or fictionally exceptional values or merchandising 
"events". 

Worumbo — general term for men's wear fabrics, especially chin- 
chilla overcoatings, made by the Worumbo Mfg. Co., Lisbon 
Falls, Me. 

Worsteds — general name for fabrics constructed of combed wool ; 
usually hard woven and variously finisht. 

Wrap — a sort of hold-all in which various kinds of luggage may 
be packt or wrapt. 

Wrap-rascal — a close-buttoned jocky coat with large metal but- 
tons. See also Joseph. 

Wrapper — (1) any loose flowing outer garment, as a dressing 
gown (term now almost entirely confined to women's wear) ; (2) 
an infant's undershirt of the button-down-the-front variety. 
Wrappers — leggings. 

Wrapping stitch — a loose s. binding edges and seams; an over- 
cast s. ; a whip s. , | ; 



Wri 291 Yar 

Wrinkle — a pucker or crease; sign of bad tailoring or careless 

wear. 

Wrist support — a leather band with strap to prevent spraining 

the w., worn by baseball players, draymen, etc. 

Wristband — (1) specifically, the narrow band that terminates a 

shirt sleeve ; (2) a short or narrow cuff. 

Wristfall — a falling band or ruff once worn about the wrist. 

Wristler — a knitted band worn on the wrist for warmth. 

Wristlet — same as Wristler. 



X 



Xylolin — a new textil material made in Saxony, consisting of 
narrow strips of light paper and cotton or wool spun and woven 
into a cream-colored cloth fabric. So cheap that a complete plain 
suit of men's clothes may be produced from it for as little as 
three dollars. It is claimed that this fabric can be washt re- 
peatedly without injury to the surface. 



Y 



Yacht cloth — a light, fine twill-woven woolen cloth, finisht with a 
roughish surface and dyed in plain colors ; a sort of heavy flannel. 
Yacht hat — see Boater. 

Yachting cap — a style of cloth c. with a full crown and a small 
peak or visor. 

Yachting shoe — commonly, a low cut leather or canvas s. with 
wedge heels and rubber soles. 

Yankee cap — a cloth c. having a flat or round crown and a closely 
sticht brim turned straight up behind and down in front (tho the 
back may be dropt for storm wear) ; devised for automobiling. 
Yankee notions — small labor saving contrivances, toilet or dress 
adjuncts, etc.; anything you can think of; term more used in 
England than here. 

Yard-and-a-quarter-stick— very useful in the clothing and tailor- 
ing trades. 

Yard stick — if full length, 36 inches long. 
Yard-wide — 36 inches, of course. 



Yar 292 Zuc 

Yarn — thread for knitting or weaving. 

Yarn-dyed — see Skein dyes. 

Ylang ylang — "flower of flowers" ; a perfume derived from or in 

imitation of the flowers of a Malayan tree of the custard-apple 

family. 

Yoke — a band or cross-piece to which other parts of a garment 

are attacht. 

Yoke coat — a coat made with a yoke back or front, or both. 

Yolk — the fatty or greasy matter contained in wool ; also called 

suint. 



z 



Zanella — a variety of cotton-warp worsted serge used for coat 
linings, umbrella coverings, etc. 

Zebra stripes — one of 1907's foolishnesses in men's wear woolens 
— simply, any stark, staring stripe. 
Zerape — see Serape. 

Zero collar — proprietary name for a very deep variety of ulster c. 
Zouave cap — a sort of fez. 

Zouave jacket — a short j. or blouse reaching about to the waist, 
and cut away in front. 
Zouave trousers — bloomers ! 
Zouave uniform — you've just read it ! 

Zuchetta — a small, round, clerical skull cap of silk or velvet, cov- 
ering the tonsure, and of color suited to the wearer's rank. 



a 



Adonisbelt — proprietary name for a sort of suspensory bandage, 
so that a man, drest a la Henrydixeyadonis, may have his trou- 
sers cut "no dress". 

Arms — bearings or devices which a person is (or assumes to be) 
entitled to emblazon upon his escutcheon; something that, like 
forbidden fruit, is shamelessly coveted (or manufactured) in 
democratic America. 

Back-scye — the back part of the scye. See Scye and Front-of- 
scye. 

Bagman — British for traveling salesman. 

Bandoline — a gummy preparation for plastering or glossing the 
hair. 

Bar coat — see Bartender's c. 

Bartender's coat — a short jacket, usually of white duck and but- 
toned to the neck. 

Belwarp — a name given to English worsteds of peculiar forma- 
tion, having some resemblance to chain-weave worsteds. 
Blouse collar — same as Prussian c. 

Blunt corners — not coming to a point but given a short rounding, 
as lapel edges, wing (shirt) collars, etc. 
Body belt — same as Waist b. 

Bosom shirt — a s. with a shield or built-up bosom. 
Bottom-fulness — tailoring term for amplitude of skirt, as in a 
frock coat ; belled. 

Box sack — a loose, boxy sack coat, usually double-breasted, with 
a long roll and wide button-spread. 

Breadth — width; a "breadth" of goods is its square, "two 
breadths" twice its width (in length), and so on. 
Busby cord — a sort of aigulet attacht to a busby cap, worn 
draped over the shoulder. 

Business cutaway — same as Walking frock and English walking 
frock. 

Button-spread — the distance between buttons horizontally, on a 
double-breasted coat. 
Buttoned oxford — a buttoned low shoe. See Oxford tie. 

Cabbage — tailoring slang meaning the amount of material a 
"jour" can save of the silk thread, tape, linings, etc., given him 
for the making of a garment, such savings or surpluses being, by 
custom, regarded as his perquisites and which he quietly "cab- 
bages" (or keeps), whence name. 

♦New definitions, afterthoughts, omissions, and the like. 



Cal 294 Foo 

Calves — pre-requisite to the dignified wearing of knee-breeches 

and the chief reason why artistic dress reform invariably fails. 

Cap cover — a detachable c. for a cap, protectiv or otherwise. 

Captain-general's coat — see Knights Templar uniform. 

Cat-stitch — a crost s. on edges to prevent raveling. See Serging. 

Chin-scale (s) — a chin-strap of linkt metal plates or scales, as 

with certain military caps. 

Cielette — a name for one of numerous processes of water-proofing 

woolens, worsteds, etc. 

Clad— drest. 

Clerical cloak — a long cape-like overgarment with collar, but 

without sleeves, buttoned down the front. 

Coat of arms — originally, a surcoat charged with heraldic devices ; 

hence, the armorial bearings, collectivly, of any person. 

Collar stand — see Stand. 

Congress gaiter — same as C. shoe. 

Crest — (1) modernly, a plume, pompon, tuft, etc., on a uniform 

cap or hat; (2) in heraldry, a warrior's device, usually supported 

upon a wreath or coronet. 

D'Elia indicator — see Tailoring i. (D'Elia, inventor.) 

Escutcheon — a shield shaped surface for armorial bearings. 

Everstick — proprietary name for a make of semi-invisible rubber 

overshoes so contrived as to cling closely to the edges of the sole 

of a shoe without covering the uppers in front, but covering the 

entire heel. 

Exaggerated — in tailoring meaning made larger than is actually 

necessary to give a clean fit. 

Extension heel — see E. sole. 

Extension sole — in shoemaking, a s. that extends or projects out 

considerably from the uppers, giving a broad tread. 

False back skirt — in tailoring, the s. of a frock coat made with a 

whole back and to which an extra piece of goods has been attacht 

to the right skirt beneath the opening so there will be no gaping 

when the skirts spread. Compare Frock b., Whole b., Step b., 

Stubbed b. 

Field — the top of a uniform cap. 

First-over — tailoring term, meaning strap-measurement (qv) ; the 

first measurement over the shoulder. 

Footless stocking — a s. made without a foot, but with a retaining 

strap or band reaching beneath the foot ; once a favorit s. with 

bicyclers who usually wore a light cotton sock beneath, if the 

footless s. was of wool or tickly worsted. Also called strap-ends, 

in the trade. 



Foo 295 Lis 

Footman's coatee — a frock coat shaped somewhat like an evening 

dress coat but of livery cloth and with shorter skirts which are 

prest flat and have full length side edges ; the fronts meet at the 

end of the roll and are closed with loopt buttons. 

Frock back — tailor's term for the b. of a frock coat made with a 

center seam and open skirts. Compare Stubbed b., Whole b., 

Step b., False b„ Skirt. 

Front of scye — meaning obvious. Compare Back scye and Scye. 

Full box — tailoring term for an exaggerated box coat; very full 

and loose in every way. 

Furnisher — same as haberdasher. 

Gaiter — see Congress shoe. 

Gilded youth — the idol (and eke despair) of multitudinous equiv- 
ocal ladies and ambitious shopkeepers. 
Gilt edge — synonym for extra quality. 

Gladstone bag — a traveling b., usually of leather or imitations 
thereof, flat sided, taller than its width, hinged at the bottom and 
opening into equal-sized sides. Also called Railroad b. 
Glottolin — a German preparation, recently placed on the market, 
for soothing tender and sensitiv necks ; rubbed on a rough-edged 
collar it will make the collar, it is said, easy and comfortable to 
wear. 
Gum boots — vernacular for rubber b. 

Highwater pants — too short. 

Jimmal ring — see Gemel r. 

Knights Templar uniform — the full u. for officers consists of coat 
and trousers of black cloth, baldric, belt, sword, shoulder straps, 
gauntlets and plumed chapeau ; and frequently a cape or cloak of 
black beaver. Commanders and past commanders wear gold 
wherever metal appears, but other officers and Sir Knights wear 
white except for buttons and shoulder straps, which are of gold — 
the Prelate alone excepted, whose belt is of black leather, and 
buttons of black silk or lasting. The Commander, Past Com- 
mander, Generalissimo and Captain-General wear a double- 
breasted military frock coat lined with black. 

Leather goods — trade term embracing light leather manufac- 
tures, such as luggage, pocketbooks, belts, shawl straps and the 
like, but not applied to shoes, harness, machinery belting and 
heavy manufactures. 

List — (1) a price schedule; (2) a price from which a discount is 
allowed. 



Mac 296 Roc 

Mackinette — proprietary name for raincoats. (Not distinctiv.) 
Men's furnisher — same as haberdasher. 

Men's furnishings — shirts, collars, cuffs, underwear, hosiery, sus- 
penders, neckwear, pyjamas, jewelry, fancy waistcoats, bath- 
robes, bathing suits, etc. 

Men's wear — (1) broadly, anything for men to wear or use as 
distinguisht from articles or goods for women's wear; (2) in the 
woolens trade the heavy suitings, coatings, etc., as distinguisht 
from the lighter dress goods, cloakings, etc., for women's wear. 
Muto coat — proprietary name for an overcoat, recently intro- 
duced, convertible from an ordinary dressy street c. into an auto 
driving or storm c, the feature being a collar which may be ad- 
justed as a stept lapel collar or as a high banded Prussian or 
cadet collar with coat buttoned to the neck. 

Napkin — an article of table linen used or misused in a manner 
indicating one's breeding. 

Narrow wale — obviously, the reverse of wide w. (qv) ; most fre- 
quently applied to diagonal suitings of close uniform ribs, 
whether flat or prominent. 
Netherlings — humorous ( ?) for stockings. 

Noose — only a very small percentage of us ever have to wear one 
and then but once. 

Past commander's coat — (Masonic) same as Commander's c. 

Pickets — an old word probably meaning the same as picot (qv), 

of which it seems to be a misspelling. 

Pin ticket — a device for marking merchandise, samples, etc., with 

price, size and other memoranda; also more or less (am)usingly 

left around on chairs, benches, etc. 

Pineapple cloth — (1) a soft, filmy textil material made from the 

fibers of the pineapple leaf, and of but little use in men's wear; 

(2) another name for a fine thread-about handkerchief linen ; 

also known as shamrock linen. 

Prelate's coat — (Masonic) see Knights Templar uniforms. 

Raiment — why, wearing apparel ! 

Rainproof — general term for woolen and worsted coatings, suit- 
ings, etc., rendered weatherproof or rain-repellant by any of 
various processes. See Cravenette. 

Robe — broadly, a long loose flowing gown worn over other gar- 
ments, as a judge's or priest's r., an academical gown, etc.; more 
broadly, any kind of a costume used to cover other clothing. 
Rockier — an old corruption of roquelaure (qv). 



Sec 297 Tar 

Second-over — in tailoring, a measurement taken for obtaining the 
shoulder hight. 

Selling agent — the accredited representativ (or contractual job- 
ber or middleman) of a mill or factory. 
Sheath coat — see next. 

Sheath trousers — one of the idocies of 1908, ascribable, doubtless, 
to the hysterical feminin revival of directoire immodesties and 
their pernicious effect upon some men too invertebrate to uphold 
the precious responsibilities of their sex. 

Shirr — to draw into gathers ; to give a puckered or drawn effect. 
Shirring string — a stout tape or cord for drawing a part of a gar- 
ment or article together in some part or place. 
Short bosom — a dinky sort of shirt b., supposed to be more com- 
fortable for day wear under a waistcoat, but about as edifying as 
a flapping dicky when one catches a glimpse of it thru an opened 
waistcoat. 

Skuffer — proprietary name for a make of shoes constructed on 
anatomical lines, having very broad and very heavy (yet flexible) 
soles and broad, low heels or wedge heels, the innersides of the 
heels being built to conform to the shape of the human heel and 
the entire shoe, which is made without nails, moulded into foot- 
form. 

Spread — see Button s. 

Stand — the inner part of a folded collar (of a coat or shirt) or that 
portion on which the collar "stands". 

Store service — in retailing, a method (any method) of maintain- 
ing a high standard of efficiency and esprit du corps among em- 
ployes, customers also being, in some instances and to a certain 
extent, taken into the confidence of the house. In general, an 
effort to prevent mistakes, waste, etc., and adjust such as may 
happen. A variant of Welfare work (qv). 

Straight leg — term applied to riding boots having little or no 
shape to the leg and resembling, above the ankles, flattened cylin- 
ders. 

Strap ends — see Footless stocking. 

Swab — a wool pompon for a uniform cap, so-called thru resem- 
blance to a gunner's s. 

Syddo — a soft, flexible, elastic woolen fabric recently introduced 
as a substitute for haircloth, claimed to possess certain working 
advantages for coat fronts, being neither too stiff nor too yield- 
ing. 

Tar — an odoriferous, dark, viscid, oily liquid sometimes applied 
to the body, after other clothes have been removed, to which a 
decorativ and protectiv effect is added by means of loose feathers ; 
thus clad one is free to seek sympathy, aid and other clothes 
wherever they may be had. 



Tog 298 Wei 

Togards — proprietary name for a sort of half-foot of stocking 
material intended for wear inside the stocking to prevent those 
of thin or sheer texture from wearing out too quickly. 
Tracing braid — narrow soutache b., used largely for decorating 
military uniforms, etc. 

Unclad — nothing on. 

Uric acid test — a test facetiously proposed during the resist dye- 
guaranteed dyes agitation of 1908, when woolens and worsteds 
were subjected to extraordinary tests for permancy; altho a jest, 
a very practical suggestion. 

Visiting card — a little bit of pasteboard that causes inconceivable 
agony to anyone who, having made his pile, tries to break into 
society. 

Waiter's jacket — in the better restaurants (if the dress coat is 
not compulsory) a sort of mess j. of black cloth or alpaca; in 
cheaper restaurants a j. of white duck resembling a bartender's 
coat. 

Welt flaps — in tailoring, a welt finish to a pocket, the lower por- 
tion being extended and free, like a flap. 



n 



x 



A BILL OF MATERIALS 

To the clothing manufacturer or journeyman tailor this table 
of materials required for the various garments tells nothing new; 
but the average retailer of clothes likely knows but little of it; 
while to the man in the street, the consumer, it is doubtless all 
news and possibly full of wonderment. 

So far as is known, this is the first time such a list has been 
compiled. 

The Cloth Required 

Men's wear woolens, worsteds, etc., are commonly 54 inches wide. 
These yardages are figured on that basis. 

A sack suit requires 3£ to 3| yards. 

An evening dress suit requires 3£ to 3£ yards. 

A Tuxedo suit requires 3£ to 3J yards. 

A cutaway frock suit requires 3£ to 4 yards. 

A doublebreasted frock suit requires 3£ to 4 vards. 

A Norfolk jacket and trousers require 3J to 3| yards. 

A hunting coat and trousers require 3| yards to 4£ yards. 

A topcoat requires 2\ to 3J yards. 

A Chesterfield overcoat requires 2f to 3£ yards. 

A raincoat requires 3 to 4 yards. 

An ulster requires 3J to 4£ yards. 

A skirted overcoat requires 3£ to 4 yards. 

Trousers require \\ to 1J yards 

Hunting and broad fall trousers require 1J to 2 yards. 

Riding breeches require If to If yards. 

Waistcoats, singlebreasted, no collar, require £ to l\ yards 27" goods. 

Waistcoats, singlebreasted, notch collar, require f to If yards 27" goods. 

Waistcoats, doublebreasted, no collar, require f to \\ yards 27" goods. 

Waistcoats, doublebreasted, notch collar, require 1 to If yards 27" goods. 

Linings, Findings, Etc., Required for Coats 





go 
SO 


o 
a h 

W «i 

x o 

DO 




m 
n 

ho a 
id w 
r°> 5 

w 


3* 

£« 

o < 


< 
O 

o 

0. 

o 
H 


H 

<! 
O 

g 


a 

E o 
« o 

W (A 
H W 

lo 
o 




a 
w 

< 

PQ o 

n 
P 
o 
Q 


0) 

S3 
w « 


Serge, silk or satin, 
30 inches. 


2J to 

21 y 

(a) 


2 to 

24 y 

(a) 


2f to 

34 y 

(a) 


2 to 

21 y 

(a) 




3 to 

5y 

(c) 


3 to 
5 y 

(b) 


5 to 

7 y 
(c) 


6 to 

8 y 

(c) 


21 to 

34 y 

(c) 


6 to 

8y 

(c) 








2f to 

34 y 


2i to 
24 y 


2 to 
2f y 


21 to 
34 y 


21 to 

34 y 

(b) 


3 to 
5 y 


4 to 
6 y 


21 to 

34 y 




32 inches. 








Venetian or Italian 
cloth, 54 inches. 


Uy 


1 to 
H y 


14 to 

if y 


1 to 
14 y 


1 to 
14 y 


li to 
14 y 


1 to 

14 y 


li to 
2 y 


11 to 
24 y 


14 to 
2 y 


2 to 

24 y 














21 to 
3iy 


21 to 
3 y 


3 to 
5 y 


6 to 
8y 


















8 y 




f y 


I y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 










4 y 




lining, 40 inches. 













Materials 



300 



Appendix 



(Continued) 


So 

> a 

W « 
Q 



s- 

B < 
X O 
DO 


•< S 
D 1-) 


n 

H O Q 

35 S 

CO 

z 

w 


< 

2^ 


< 
O 
O 
0. 
O 

Eh 


< 


< 
Pi 


a 

25 

». O 

a. u 
m et 
(- « 

go 

O 




a 

M 

< 

«8 
««g 

D 
O 
P 


a *" 

SO 

S « 

w o 














14 to 
If y 


li to 

H y 


li to 

H y 


li to 

H y 




li to 


21 inches. 












H y 




i to 

1 y 














1 y 




27 inches. 





















Canvas. 


i y 


i v 


J- y 


i to 

1 y 


5 y 


I to 

li y 


If to 

H y 


Leng 
Co 


thof 
ats 


1 y 


1 y 


Haircloth. 18 inches. 


4 y 


4 y 


* y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


1 y 


i y 


i y 


4 y 


Silesia, (pocketing, etc.) 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


iy 


4 y 


iy 


Canvas stay. 


4 y 


4 y 


* y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


iy 


Pocket stay, (Holland.) 


1-9 y 


1-9 y 


1-9 y 


1-9 y 


1-9 y 


1-9 y 


1-9 y 


1-9 y 


4 y 


1-9 y 


1-9 y 


Sleeve wigan. 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


Felt 


iy 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


4y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


Stay tape 


5 to 
7 y 


5 y 


5 to 

8 y 


5 to 
8 y 


5 y 


6 to 
10 y 


8 to 
10 y 


8 to 
10 y 


8 to 
10 y 


8 to 
10 y 


8 to 
10 y 


Collar canvas. 


iy 


i y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


4y 


4 to 
4 y 


4 y 


4 y 














4 y 


4 y 


4 y 






4 y 
































4 y 


4 y 


4 y 


4 y 




4 y 
















Buttonhole twist. 


6 y 
(d) 


6 y 

(d) 


6 y 

(d) 


6 y 
(d) 


6 y 
(d) 


6 y 

(d) 


6 P 
(d) 


6 y 

(d) 


12 y 
(d) 


6 y 

(d) 


12 y 
(d) 


Button thread, (linen.) 


2 sk 


2 sk 


2 sk 


2 sk 


2 sk 


2 sk 


2 sk 


2 sk 


3 sk 


2 sk 


3 sk 


Buttons. 


8 1 
1 link 
4to6s 


4 s 
1 link 


5 1 
4to6s 


2to6 1 
4to8s 


4to6 1 
4to8s 


4 1 
4 s 


4 1 

4 s 


4 1 
4 s 


8 1 

9 s 


8 1 
6 s 


4to8 1 
6 s 


Wadding, (sheets) 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


Wool serge lining. 


















11 to 
24 y 







Abbreviations: y -yard; 1 - large; s - small; sk - skein; 
Notes: (a) includes back for waistcoat; (b) lined to the waist; if lined thruout add 1} 
yards extra; (c) includes sleeve lining; (d) single thread measure. 

Linings, Etc., Required for Waistcoats 
Silk or satin lining for back, 30", f yard; Venetian or Italian cloth $ yard; 
Mohair, serge or alpaca f yard. 

Sateen, 40", f yard for inside; 1£ yard for inside and outside back. 
Silesia pocketing, \ yard; "chamois" watch pocketing, 6x9 inches. 
Buttons, 4 to 6 for single breast, 6 to 8 for double breast. Linen thread 
for sewing buttons, 1 skein; buttonhole twist, 1 yard (6 strands). 
Stay tape, 2£ yards. Wigan f yard. 1 buckle. 

Linings, Etc., Required for Trousers 
Sateen, 40", \ yard. Broad falls, h yard. 
Pocketing, £ to f yard. 
Linen pocket stay, 1-18 yard. 
Silesia, 1-9 yard, Wigan, 1-9 yard. 

Buttons, 6 large, 5 small, (G if made without hook-clasp). 
Hook-clasp, 1. Buckle, 1 large, (or 2 small at sides). 
Button thread, linen, 1 skein. 

Rubber tissue (good tailors seldom use it), 1-18 yard. 
Knee silk (a luxury), } yard. 



Appendix 



301 



Form Chart 



A GENERAL DIAGRAM OF CORRECT ATTIRE 

Here's your "mentor, guide and friend" 





Formal 

Evening 

Occasions 

(1) 


Informal 

Evening 

Occasions 

(2) 


Formal 

Day 

Occasions 

(3) 


Informal 

Day 
Occasions 

(4) 


Business 
Wear 

(5) 


Outing, 

Motoring, 

Etc. 

(6) 


Evening dress coat 


YES 


yes 


no 


no 


no 


no 


Tuxedo coat 


no 


YES 


no 


no 


no 


no 


Prince Albert 


no (14) 


yes (?) (14) 


YES 


yes 


no(?) 


no 


Cutaway or walking 
coat 


no 


no 


no (?) (15) 


YES 


yes 


no 


Sack coat (7) 


no 


no 


no 


no 


YES 


yes 


Norfolk jacket 


no 


no 


no 


no 


no 


YES 


Waistcoat (18a) (8) 


WHITE 

or black 
(16) 


black 
- (17) 


white, 
fancy or 
same (18) 


white, 
fancy or 
SAME (18) 


SAME 

or fancy 
(18) 


use 
optional 


Trousers (18a) 


black 


black 


same 

or fancy 

(18) 


same 

or fancy 

(18) 


same 

or fancy 

(18) 


same 
(18) 


Skirted overcoat (9) 


yes (19) 


yes 


YES 


yes 


yes ' 


seldom (20) 


Sack overcoat (10) 


yes 


yes 


yes 


YES 


YES 


if needed 


Top coat 


no 


no 


no 


yes 


YES 


YES 


Raincoat 


yes (21) 


yes 


yes 


yes 


yes 


yes 


Ulster 


no 


no 


no (?) 


no(?) 


YES 


YES 


Shirt and cuffs (11) 


white 


white 


white 


white 


white 
or fancy 


fancy 


Collar 


standing 


fold 

or 

wing 


standing 

or 

wing 


standing 
or 

wing 


folded 

or 
wing 


folded 
or 
soft 


Cravat 


white tie 


black tie 


white 

or fancy 

ascot 


Four-in- 
hand 
or ascot 


Four-in- 
hand 
or tie 


tie or 

kerchief 

(22) 


Jewelry (12) 


PEARL 

or moon 
stone (23) 


gold 


gold 


gold 


gold 


gold 


Gloves (13) 


WHITE 

or 
black 


gray 


gray 


gray 
or 

tan 


gray 
or 

TAN 


tan 

or 

chamois 


Hat 


silk 

or 

opera (24) 


FEDORA 

or 
derby (25) 


silk 
(26) 


Silk 

or 

fedora 


Derby 

or 
fedora 


Cap 
(26) 


Shoes 


PATENT 
BUTTON 

or pumps 
(27) 


patent 
button 
or lace 


patent 
button 


patent 
button 


black 
or tan 
button 
or lace 

shoes 
or oxfords 


tan 
lace shoes 
or oxfords 



Explanatory: (1) Evening wedding, balls, receptions, opera, dinner; (2) club, stag, 
informal and home dinners; (3) day weddings, receptions, afternoon calls, matinees; (4) church, 
promenade, afternoon teas, matinees; (5) business and professional routine; (6) golf, motoring, 
outing and country; (7, 8, 9) single or double-breasted; (10) single-breasted, fly-front sack 
overcoat; (11) for 1, 2, 3, 4 white dress shirt and cuffs; for 5, white or fancy, dress or plaited 
bosom; for 6, neglige cotton, linen or flannel; (12) links and studs only with 1 and 2, cravat 
pin and watch fob or chain with 3, 4, 5, 6 optional; (13) glace or suede kid optional; cape or 
chamois preferable with 6; (14) the double-breasted frock is the proper dress coat for clergymen 
upon all occasions; (15) the flapt walking coat of conspicuously patterned material is not 
good form, tho the cutaway frock of plain fabrics and style is allowable; (16) figured gray 
silk is allowable; (17) white, also figured gray silk, allowable, but black is preferable; (18) 
"same" means same as coat; (18a) if fancy waistcoat is worn trousers must match coat, if 
fancy trousers are worn waistcoat must match coat; (19) business cape coat is preferable for 
strictly formal dress; (20) frock coats are correct for driving, races, hunting, etc.; (21) obviously 
not if of tan color or conspicuously figured pattern; (22) or soft stock; (23) very small gold 
studs are unobjectionable, diamonds and the like absolutely impossible; (24) fedora is allow- 
able, derby never; (25) silk is considered bad taste, opera hat the hight of vulgarity; (26) 
fedora permissible; (27) pumps preferable for dancing; (?) sometimes allowable; small capitals 
indicate order of preference. 



Self Measures 302 Appendix 

SELF MEASUREMENT 

By "self measurements" no one means, literally, that a man 
can, unaided, take his own measurements for any sort of garment 
satisfactorily. It is better with help — any help. So all tailors, 
clothiers and outfitters use the term in the sense of "assisted" 
home measurements — which, if the instructions in the measure- 
ment charts usually supplied by the dealers are followed, will do 
nearly as well as if taken by experts in the store. The supple- 
mentary instructions and information in this chapter as to fashion- 
able lengths, proper proportions, how to measure, etc., should be 
of real help in arriving at well-fitting garments. 

Any one can measure or be measured by another — it's just a 
matter of understanding what and how to do, and doing it that way. 

The customer should be sure that he stands in a natural position, 
without inflating or contracting the chest. Any deviation from 
the natural form will affect the fit of the garment. Remove from 
pockets anything of a bulky nature before measuring. 

Coat and overcoat measurements should always be taken over 
the vest. The length of the coat and the length of the sleeve are 
the first measurements to be taken. In taking sleeve measurements 
the arm should be held about on a level with the shoulder, the 
elbow crooked at right angles, which will make the hand about 
twelve inches from the face. Measure from center seam in back 
over elbow to the hand side of wrist joint. In taking the length of 
coat, measure from seam where collar joins the coat to proper 
length. The length should be regulated by your desire and hight; 
see also the proportionate tables. 

After taking these two measurements (with the coat on) remove 
the coat and take the breast measure over the vest. Be sure that 
the tape is straight around the body over shoulder blades and 
close up under the arms. If the stomach is prominent, in addition 
to the waist measure, another measure should be taken around the 
larger part, a little lower down. 

Vest measurements should be taken over the vest, using the 
vest one has on as a pattern. The tape should be drawn from 
seam at back of neck to top button of the vest. If a higher or 
lower vest than the one worn is desired, allowances should be made. 
For a double-breasted vest the measurement should be taken to 
the point of the V opening and not to the first button. The second 
measure should extend from seam at back of neck as before to 
bottom of vest. The breast measure for the vest should be the 
same as for the coat. 

In measuring trousers one must stand erect. Place end of tape 
as close up in crotch, on inside of leg, as you can get it and measure 
from that point to where the heel joins the shoe. In measuring 
waist take length around the top of trousers over the waist-band. 



Appendix 303 Self Measures 

Always use the trousers one has on as a guide for measurements, 
making the leg wider or narrower as desired. The knee measure- 
ment should usually be about two inches larger than the bottom 
measure. The average size for knee is 18 J inches and for bottom 
16 J inches; see also proportionate tables following. That the 
cutter may make trousers of proper proportion at bottom, be sure 
and indicate the size of shoe worn and state if the instep is high 
or low. "Right dress" and "left dress," indicating a certain 
difference in the crotch-fulness of one trouser leg, is also important. 

Describe your physical peculiarities minutely — and be sure that 
the descriptions are accurate in every detail. These descriptions 
are sometimes as important to a cutter as are the measurements. 
In making descriptions be sure and remove the coat ; coats are often 
padded so as to overcome natural defects. Any irregularities in the 
form should be clearly indicated on the order. 

Be sure and state whether or not the measurements are taken 
over light or heavy underwear, also if garment is to be worn over 
light or heavy underwear. State if broad, sloping or regular 
shoulders; erect, stooping or extra so either way; whether short or 
long neck and if the neck is thick or thin — better give shirt collar 
size ; give age, hight, weight and your business, which will obviate 
a minister getting clothes a racing man might wish, or vice versa. 
A photograph helps much. 

When ordering overcoats to be worn over frock or dress coats, 
care should be taken to have the overcoat at least two inches 
longer than the under coat. 

The width of legs of trousers should vary according to the size 
of the seat measure. The usual measurements are: 

When seat measures less than 36, knee 18, bottom 16. 
When seat measures from 37 to 44, knee 19, bottom 17. 
When seat measures over 44, knee 20, bottom 18. 

Don't attempt to make allowance measures for peg-top or 
half-peg trousers unless one has an old pair to be copied exactly. 
Take ordinary measurements and say in the letter of instructions 
just how full they are to be — the cutter, if he knows his business, 
knows better than the customer what to do. 

Use care in giving weight, hight and age; they are a great 
help to the cutter and almost indispensable to a successful fit. 

Compare the measurements as written on the order sheet with 
the foregoing chart. While there may be some variation, due to 
physical differences, and for which scientific allowance will be 
made by the cutter if necessary, the lengths of coats and vests 
should be given on the order as in the table if one wishes garments 
cut in the fashion of the day — it being understood that freak 
garments such as undergraduates and rounders affect are not bound 
by these wise and sane suggestions. 



Self Measures 



304 



Appendix 



Proportionate Table of Measurements 
For Guidance of Customers Ordering by Mail 



Hight (basis of measure- 
ments) 


d 


CO 

10 


d 

"3 


U5 


c 
co 


d 
t^ 

10 


d 

00 

10 


c 

OS 


10 


d 

•0 


CO 


d 

CO 


Average weight 


90 


100 


110 


120 


130 


140 


1 50 


160 


170 


180 


100 


200 


Breast 


31 


32 


33 


34 


35 


36 


37 


38 


30 


40 


41 


42 


Waist length, frock, Prince 
Albert and dress coat 


17 


171 


m 


17 1 


IS 


181 


18 J 


18| 


19 


191 


19* 


19J 


Length of cutaway or walk- 
ing frock coat 


33} 


33f 


34} 


341 


351 


35f 


30} 


36| 


37} 


37J 


38 


39 


Length of dress or Prince 
Albert coat 


37 


37| 


38* 


39 * 


40* 


41* 


42 


42 j 


43 


43* 


44 


44 


Length of single - breasted 
sack 


27 


27* 


28 


28i 


29 


29* 


30 


30* 


31 


31* 


32 


33 


Length of double - breasted 
sack 


27* 


28 


28* 


29 


29i 


30 


30 \ 


31 


31* 


32 


32 


33 


Length of Chesterfield sack 
overcoat 


Should state if to wear over frock or sack 
coat or both 


Length of vest 


23* 


24 


24\ 


24f 


25 


251 


25* 


25? 


26} 


26* 


27 


27* 


Outside seam of trousers in- 
cluding waistband 


39$ 


40 


40* 


41} 


421 


43 


43* 


44} 


45 


45* 


46 


46* 


Inseam of trousers 


29 


29* 


30 


30* 


31 


31* 


32 


32* 


33 


33* 


34 


34* 


Sleeve 


Measure sleeve of old coat from seam under 
arm to cuff, adding * inch. 


Length of top coat 


One and one-half inches longer than double- 
breasted sack 


Length of rain coat 


40 


47 


48 


49 


50 


51 


52 


53 


54 


55 


56 


57 


Length of skirted overcoat 


One inch less than rain coat 


Length of ulster 


Same as rain coat 


Length of Tuxedo coat 


Same as double-breasted sack 



When the hight is shorter and the weight heavier, the breast 
will be larger than the proportionate table shows. When the 
hight is higher and the weight less, the breast will be smaller than 
the table shows. 

When the breast is larger than the seat, take the measure again, 
as this is unusual. Be careful that the personal description is 
thoro. 



Appendix 



305 



Mourning 



PERIODS OF MOURNING 

For a wife, widowers wear mourning for one year to eighteen 
months; second mourning, if adopted, usually being at the ex- 
piration of a year. 

For a husband, widows wear mourning for two to three years, 
lightening at intervals of six months. 

Grass widows and widowers do not wear mourning for the 
departed. 

For parents, gentlemen wear mourning for six months to one 
year; women usually wear it for two years. 

For a brother or sister, gentlemen wear mourning for six months 
to one year; women usually one year. 

For a child, fathers wear mourning six months to one year; 
mothers usually a full year. For an infant, three months. 

For grandparents, few men wear mourning ; but if they do, second 
mourning for three to six months is considered sufficient; women 
wear mourning six months to one year. 

For uncles, aunts or cousins, men seldom adopt mourning, 
unless second mourning for one to three months; women for three 
months. 

For grandchildren, it is considered unnecessary — or perhaps 
too admonitory. 

It will be noticed that women always grieve longer than men — 
at least by outward symbols. 



TO MEASURE FOR A HAT 

Adjust tape measure around head at a point level with the 
center of the forehead. 



Hat 
size 



Inches 

around 

head 




Hat 

size 



Inches 

around 

head 



5| 18f 

6 19 

6i 19f 

6i 19f 

6| 20i 

6i 20f 



7| 23| 

7* 231 

7| 24 

7i 241 

7| 25 

8 25i 



Boys' sizes run from 5| to 7; mens' from 6f ; the largest size 
commonly carried in stock is 7|, all above that being called extra 



Livery Chart 



306 



Appendix 



LIVERY CHART 

A table of the proper servants' wear for city and country, 
arranged by vehicles. 

Note. — In many cases trousers matching coat may be sub- 
stituted for boots and breeches; circumstances, principally those 
concerned with formality, must govern. 



Vehicle 


Men 


City 


Country 


Beach (or morning) 








phaeton 


1 


Dress; trousers 


Undress; trousers 


Booby sleigh 


2 


Dress or undress 


Undress or dress 


Break 


2 


Dress or undress; trousers 


Undress or dress; trou- 


Brougham 
Caleche 


1 or 2 


Dress; boots and breeches 


sers 


2 


Dress; boots and breeches 




Chaise 


1 


Dress; boots and breeches 
or trousers; better form 
without a servant 




Coach 


2 


Dress; boots and breeches 




Cocking cart 


1 


Dress; boots and breeches 








or trousers 


Undress; breeches and 
leggins 


Coupe 


1 or 2 


Dress; boots and breeches 




Curricle 


1 


Dress; boots and breeches 




Cutter 


1 


Dress or undress 


Undress or dress 


Dog cart 


1 


Dress; boots and breeches 


Undress; breeches and 
leggins 


D'Orsay 


2 


Dress; boots and breeches 




Dos-a-dos 


1 


Dress; boots and breeches 


Undress; breeches and 
leggins 


Extension top 








phaeton 


1 


Dress; trousers 


Undress; trousers 


Game cart 


1 


Dress; boots and breeches 


Undress; breeches and 
leggins 


George IV (or 








lady's driving 








phaeton) 


1 


Dress; boots and breeches 




Gig phaeton 


1 


Dress; boots and breeches 




Golf cart 


1 


Dress; boots and breeches 


Undress; breeches and 

leggins 
Undress or dress; may 

wear a plain black 


Hansom 


1 


Dress or undress; may 






wear a plain black cut- 






away coat, felt top hat, 


cutaway coat, felt top 






breeches and leggins, in 


hat, breeches and leg- 






rainy weather a mac- 


gins, in rainy weather 






kintosh cape 


a machintosh cape 


Ladies' driving 








phaeton 




See George IV 




Landau 


2 


Dress; boots and breeches 




Landaulet 


1 


Dress; boots and breeches 




Mail phaeton 


2 


Dress; groom's livery 
boots and breeches 




Morning phaeton 




See Beach phaeton 




Omnibus 


2 


Dress; afternoon or even- 
ing, boots and breeches; 
morning trousers 


Undress; trousers 



Appendix 



307 



Livery Chart 



Vehicle 



Men 



City 



Country 



Park drag 

Phaeton 
Road coach 



Rockaway 
Runabout 
Skeleton break 

Spider phaeton 
Stanhope 
Station wagon 
Surrey 
Tcart 
Tandem cart 

Tilbury 
Top wagon 

Unicorn break 

Victoria 
Vis-a-vis 
Wagonette 

Whitechapel cart 



Brougham 

Ladies' runabout 

Runabout 

Surrey 

Touring car 
Victoria 
Victoria (rear 
drive) 



1 or 
2 
1 



1 
1 

1 

1 or 2 
2 
1 



Dress; groom's livery, 

boots and breeches 
Dress; trousers 



Dress; trousers 
Dress or undress 



Dress; boots and breeches 
Dress; boots and breeches 

Dress; trousers 

Dress; boots and breeches 

Dress; boots and breeches 

Dress; boots and breeches 



Dress; boots and breeches 

Dress; boots and breeches 
Dress; boots and breeches 
Dress or undress; trousers 

Dress; boots and breeches 



AUTOMOBILES 

Dress or undress; great- 
coats 

Undress; trousers 

Undress; trousers 

Dress; military coat 
trousers 

Undress; greatcoats 

Dress; trousers 

Dress; trousers 



Undress; trousers 
Dress; boots and 

breeches, or, undress; 

breeches and leggins 
Undress; trousers 
Undress or dress 
Undress; breeches and 

leggins 



Undress; trousers 
Undress; trousers 

Undress; breeches and 
leggins 

Undress; trousers or 

breeches and leggins 

Undress; breeches and 



Undress or dress; trou- 
sers 

Undress; breeches and 
leggins 



Undress; trousers 
Undress; trousers 

Undress; trousers 
Undress; greatcoats 
Undress; trousers 
Undress; trousers 



CLOTH MEASURE 

This old system is used but little nowadays, having been 
superseded by long measure and the metric system. 

2\ inches make 1 nail marked na. 

4 nails make 1 quarter marked qr. 

4 quarters make 1 yard marked yd. 

3 quarters make 1 ell Flemish marked E. Fl. 

5 quarters make 1 ell English marked E. E. 

5 quarters 1 9-10 ins make 1 ell French marked E. Fr. 

5 quarters 1 1-5 ins make 1 ell Scotch marked E. S. 



Shoe Sizes 



308 



Appendix 



SHOES: THEIR NUMBERING 

There are various systems of shoe sizes in use nowadays — 
designed, perhaps, to deceive those with vanity afflicted who will 
insist they can wear a smaller size than they can wear — or should 
wear. So if one asks for 6*A he can depart in peace and comfort 
wearing 40-1, or 185, or 28-1, or otherwise as the system may be. 

Yet for that matter an 8*A by one maker may not be 8*A in 
some other maker's shoes, although both use the old numbering 
system, as many still do. 

The best known of the "blind numbering systems" is that 
known as "French Sizes" and corresponds thus: 



Size 1 


l* 2 


2* 


3 


3* 


4 


4* 


Written 33 


33- 34 


34- 


35 


35- 


36 


36- 


5 


5* 6 


6* 


7 


n 


8 


8* 


37 


37- 38 


38- 


39 


39- 


40 


40- 


9 


9* 10 


10* 


11 


ii* 


12 


12* 


41 


41- 42 


42- 


43 


43- 


44 


44- 


13 


13* 14 


12 


13* 








45 


45- 46 


45 


45- 








A dash indicates half sizes. 












Widths 


A B 


C 


D 


E 


EE 




Written 


1 


2 


3 


4 


5 





In marking, the size is first written, then the width, close together; 
thus 37-0 means 5*A, 40-1 means 8B, etc. 



Another widely used system is more obvious, in that * is the 
decimal .5 without the decimal point, thus: 



Size 1 1* 


2 


2* 


3 


3* 


4 


4* 


5 


Written 1 15 


2 


25 


3 


35 


4 


45 


5 


5* 6 


6* 


7 


7* 


8 


8* 


9 


9* 


55 6 


65 


7 


75 


8 


85 


9 


95 


10 10* 


11 


11* 


12 


12* 


13 


13* 


14 


10 105 


11 


115 


12 


125 


13 


135 


14 


Widths 


A 


B 


C 


D 


E 


EE 




Written 


1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


6 





In marking, the width is written first, so that 1*A is 115, 
is 345, etc. 



4*C 



A third system has a valueless figure prefixt thus : 



Size 


1 


1* 


2 


2* 


3 


3* 


4 


Written 


21 


21- 


22 


22- 


23 


23- 


24 




4* 


5 


5* 


6 


6* 


7 


7* 




24- 


25 


25- 


26 


26- 


27 


27- 




8 


8* 


9 


9* 


10 


10* 


11 




28 


28- 


29 


29- 


210 


210- 


211 




11* 


12 


12* 


13 


13* 







211- 212 212- 213 213- 
The dash indicating the half sizes. 



Appendix 


309 






Shoe Sizes 


Widths AA 
Written 00 

1 

In marking, the widths 
281 means 8B or 8A. 


ABC 

1 2 
Or 
2 3 4 

are written last, 


D E 
3 4 

5 

thus 22-0 


EE 
5 

means 2|A, 



A system largely used in marking men's shoes consists in letting 
the last figure indicate the width and dividing the first figure or 
figures by 2 to obtain the size, thus: 



Size 1 1* 2 


2* 


3 


3* 


4 


4* 


Written 2 3 4 


5 


6 


7 


8 


9 


5 5* 6 


6J 


7 


7| 


8 


8* 


10 11 12 


12J 


14 


15 


16 


17 


9 9£ 10 


10* 


11 


11* 


12 


12* 


18 19 20 


21 


22 


23 


24 


25 


Widths A B 


C 


D 


E 


EE 




Written 1 2 


3 


4 


5 


6 




us size 7£A is written 151, 


size 8B is 


written 162, 


and so on 



I 



Another system, and one that is used by the Douglas Shoe Co., 
has the width written first, and the size next, a third figure being 
used to indicate whether a whole or half size is meant, thus: 
470 means width 4 or (D) size 7 
345 means width 3 or (C) size 4* 
This system retains the regular size numbers from 1 upward, 
the whole number being indicated by and a half size by 5 added 
as the third figure. After size 9* four figures are used, the two 
middle ones indicating the size. Widths are designated thus: 
Width A B C D E EE W 

Written 12 3 4 5 6 7 
Doubtless, like in all things else, woman was at the bottom of 
the invention of these systems, which were fittingly applied first 
of all to woman's shoes, but nowadays they are quite universal. 
Hence he is a happy man whose shoes fit and who knows it. 

Shoe sizes for the various ages are usually divided thus : 
Infants', 3 to 8 
Children's, 8$ to 12 
Misses', 12$ to 2 
Ladies', 2£ to 6 
Youths', 12 to 2 
Boys', 2 £ to 6 
Men's, 6 to 14 
while widt s are clast 

A or 1 narrow 

B or 2 medium narrow 

C or 3 medium 

D or 4 wide 

E or 5 extra wide 

EE or 6, widest usually made 

W or 7 exceptionally wide. 



Hosiery Sizes 



310 



Appendix 



RELATED HOSIERY AND SHOE SIZES 

While it is scarcely advisable to order shoes (by mail, for in- 
stance) by the sizes of one's hose, it is quite practicable, satis- 
factory and comfortable to order hose by the size of one's shoes — 
that is to say by the relation of these sizes to each other, to wit: 

Men's hosiery — 

Shoe 54-6 6£-7 7J-8 8£-9 9£-10 10J-11 

Hose 9§ 10 10i 11 11| 12 

Average weight in cotton, 2 J ounces per pair; wool, 3 \ ounces. 

Children's hosiery — 

1 Infants' shoe takes 4 -in. hose 

2 and 3 Infants' shoe takes 4J-in. hose 

4 Infants' shoe takes 5 -in. hose 

5 Infants' shoe takes „ 5£-in. hose 

6 and 7 Children's shoe takes 6 -in. hose 

8 Children's shoe takes 6J-in. hose 

9 and 10 Children's shoe takes 7 -in. hose 

11 Boys' shoe takes 7^-in. hose 

12 Boys' shoe takes 8 -in. hose 

13, 1 and 2 Boys' shoe takes 8-8^-in. hose 

Average weight per pair, cotton, 2 to 4 ounces; per dozen, 20 to 40 
ounces; wool, about 50 per cent more. 



HOSIERY SIZE MARKS 

The little pinhead holes near the ribbed top of a stocking 
indicate its size. Read them thus: 

Mens' hosiery — 
Size 9 * 
Size 9£ ** 
Size 10 *** 
Size 10$ **** 
Size 11 ***** 
Size l\\ ****** or *** 
*** 



ants' hosiery — 


Size 4 


* 


Size 4£ 


** 


Size 5 


*** 


Size 5£ 


**** 


Size 6 


***** 


Size 6£ 


* * * * * * 



Boys' hosiery — 


Size 


6 * 


Size 


6J ** 


Size 


7 *** 


Size 


7^ **** 


Size 


g ***** 


Size 


gi ****** or *** 




*** 


Size 


9 *** 




**** 


Size 


gi **** 




**** 


Size 1( 




***** 



Appendix 



3n 



Sleeve Lengths 



SLEEVE LENGTHS (SHIRTS) 

As commonly made the following lengths of sleeves are provided 
for each neck size — a lesser range for colored shirts because of the 
extra hazard on "novelties" and perhaps because the wearers 
aren't so particular as he who must be au fait in spick-and-span 
white all the time. 





Sleeve Lengths 


Neck Size 






White 


Colored 


13£ 


30 to 32 


31 


14 


30 to 33 


31 to 33 


m 


30 to 34 


31 to 33 


15 


30 to 35 


31 to 33 


15* 


30 to 35 


32 to 34 


16 


30 to 33 


32 to 34 


16* 


30 to 34 


32 and 33 


17 


30 to 34 


32 and 33 


17* 


31 to 34 


32 and 33 


18 


31 to 34 


32 and 33 



Attacht cuffs add 2 inches. 

BOYS' AND CHILDREN'S UNION SUITS 

The corresponding sizes for ages are as follows: 



Size 


Length 


Ages 


2 


29 in. 


3 to 4 


3 


32 in. 


5 to 6 


4 


36 in. 


7 to 8 


5 


40 in. 


9 to 10 


6 


44 in. 


11 to 12 


7 


48 in. 


13 to 14 



If large for his age, take next size larger, or the following: 



Sizes 


Ages 


24 breast measure 
28 breast measure 
32 breast measure 
34 breast measure 


6 years 

7 to 9 years 

10 to 12 years 

13 years 



Children's Underwear 



312 



Appendix 



CHILDREN'S UNDERWEAR SIZES 

If your children are large for their age, purchase at least one 
size larger than the average as given in the scale of sizes. 



Age Shirts 

1 year Size 1 6 

1 to 1£ years Size 18 

1£ to 2 years Size 20 

2 to 4 years . 
4 to 6 years . 
6 to 8 years . 
8 to 10 years . 
10 to 12 years , 

12 to 13 years 

13 to 14 years . 



Pantalets 

Size 16 

Size 16 

Size 18 

Size 22 Size 20 

Size 24 Size 22 

Size 26 Size 24 

Size 28 Size 26 

Size 30 Size 28 

Size 32 Size 30 

Size 34 ' Size 32 



14 to 15 years Size 34. 



Size 34 



None of the goods under this heading are intended for large 
boys. Boys' drawers and shirts come in sizes 24 to 34 only. 



CHILDREN'S GLOVE SIZES (AVERAGES) 

Size 00 for children of 2 to 3 years. 

Size for children of 3 to 5 years. 

Size 1 for children of 4 to 6 years. 

Size 2 for children of 5 to 8 years. 

Size 3 for boys of 6 to 9 years. 

Size 4 for boys of 8 to 11 years. 

Size 5 for boys of 10 to 13 years. 

Size 6 for boys of 11 to 14 years. 



SILK RIBBON WIDTHS 

In this table is given the usual width of silk ribbons according 
to their respectiv numbers: 



Number 


Lines 


Inches 


1 


2i 


3-16 


1* 


4 


5-16-i 


2 


5 


7-16 


3 


6i 


9-16-f 


4 


8 


11-16-$ 


5 


10 


15-16-1 


7 


13 


li-H 


9 


17-18 


lj-lf 


12 


21-22 


l*-2 


16 


25 


2f 


22 


30 


2| 


40 


38(?) 


3* 



Appendix 



313 



Cloth Weights 



MEN'S WEAR CLOTH WEIGHTS 

Cloths and all textil fabrics are standardized on the basis of 
the weight of a yard in ounces. The approximate weights given 
below are for double-width goods — 54 inches; but as double- width 
varies from 48 to 60 inches the term itself is, once in a while, mis- 
leading. However, if the "double- width" is unusually narrow 
or unusually wide it is generally so stated in exact figures, both 
as to width and weight. The weights of cloth commonly used 
for men's clothing in this country are: 





Suitings 


Overcoatings 




16 to 20 ounces 

11 to 15 ounces 
10 to 14 ounces 

9 to 11 ounces 

12 to 16 ounces 






16 to 22 ounces 






Summer 
Fall 


'Tropical' ' . . . . 











TAILORS' BUTTON SIZES 

The range of sizes commonly used on the various garments is: 

Ulsters — front 45 lines; sleeves and throat 30 to 33 

lines. 
Overcoats — fronts 36 to 40 lines ; sleeves 24 to 30 lines. 
Coats — front 30 to 33 lines; sleeves 20 to 24 lines. 
Vests— 24 to 30 lines. 
Trousers — waist 27 lines; fly 22 lines. 

SILK THREAD TABLE 

This table shows the numbers of silk thread, with the correspond- 
ing number of yards per pound and per ounce : 



No. 


Yards Per Pound 


Yards Per Ounce 


000 


32,000 


2,000 


00 


25,600 


1,600 





20,800 


1,300 


A 


16,000 


1,000 


B 


13,600 


850 


C 


10,400 


650 


D 


8,800 


550 


E 


6,400 


400 


EE 


5,280 


330 


F 


4,192 


262 


FF 


3,392 


212 


G 


2,000 


125 



Silk Thread 



3H 



Appendix 



TAILORS' SILK THREAD SIZES 

The sizes of silk thread and twist most wid°ly used for best 
results in the making of men's clothing are: 





Machine 
Twist 


Buttonhole 
Twist 


Sewings 


Coat 

Vest 


OOor 
OOor 
A or B 


12-16-18 
12-16-18 
12 and 14 


A-OO-D 
00 and A 


Trousers 


B and D 



HOW TO MEASURE FOR A WIG 

Maybe you can get a good "fit" by self-measurement and order- 
ing by mail. Try it. 

1st Measure — The circumference of the head, from forehead around over 

the ears to base of skull. 
2nd Measure — From forehead back over the top of the head to nape 

of neck. 
3rd Measure — From ear to ear, across the forehead. 
4th Measure — From ear to ear, over the top of the head. 
5th Measure — From temple to temple, around the back of the head, 

(horizontally). 
These measurements in inches. 

To order a toupee, cut a piece of paper the exact size and shape 
of the bald spot and also give measurement around the head (No. 1) 
and state on which side the hair is parted. 



METRIC MEASURES 

The unit of length measurement in the metric system is the 
meter, which is supposed to be one ten-millionth part of the earth's 
meridian quadrant, or 39.370 inches. 

The unit of surface is the arc, or 100 square meters. The unit 
of volume is the stere, which is a cubic meter. The unit of volume 
is the liter, or the volume of 1 kilogram of distilled water at its 
maximum density, or the equivalent, one cubic decimeter. 

Prefixes to the words meter, are, stere, and liter, etc., indicate 
multiples or fractions thereof, thus: 

1 myriameter 5.4 nautical miles, or 6.21 statute miles. 

1 kilometer 0.621 statute mile. 

1 hectometer 109.4 yards. 

1 decameter 0.497 chain, or 1,988 rods. 

1 meter 39.37 inches, or nearly 3 feet, 3 J inches. 

1 decimeter 3.937 inches. 

1 centimeter 0.3937 inch. 

1 millimeter 0.03937 inch. 

1 micron 1-25400 inch. 



Appendix 315 Peers' Robes 

1 hectare 2.471 acres. 

1 are 119.6 square yards. 

1 centiara 10.764 square feet. 

1 decastere 13 cubic yards. 

1 stere 307 cubic yards. 

1 decistere 3£ cubic feet. 

1 kiloliter 1 ton, 14 gallons, 2 pints, 2 gills, old wine measure 

1 hectoliter 26.4 gallons. 

1 decaliter 2 gallons, 2 quarts, 1 pint, J gill. 

1 liter 1 quart, \ gill. 

1 deciliter 0.845 gill. 

1 millier 1 ton avoirdupois less 35 pounds. 

1 metric quintal 2 hundredweight less 3£ pounds, or 220 pounds 

7 ounces. 

1 kilogram 2 pounds, 3 ounces, 4f drams avoirdupois. 

1 decagram 154.32 grains troy. 

1 gram 15.43234874 grains. 

1 decigram 154.32 grains. 

1 centigram 0.15432 grain. 

1 milligram 0.015432 grain. 

BRITISH PEERS' ROBES AND CORONETS 

These heritages of a glorious feudal past are tenaciously cher- 
ished with all their privileges, but needless to say, are worn only 
upon high ceremonial occasions. 

There have been some few changes thruout the ages which 
this condenst book for busy Americans cannot spare space to 
describe. At the coronation of King Edward an edict informed 
those immediately concerned that "the robe or mantle of the Peers 
be of crimson velvet edged with miniver, the cape furred with 
miniver pure, and powdered with bars or rows of ermine according 
to their degrees, viz. : 

Barons — Two rows. 
Viscounts — Two rows and a half. 
Earls — Three rows. 
Marquesses — Three rows and a half. 
Dukes — Four rows. 
The said mantles or robes to be worn over the full Court dress, 
uniforms or regimentals. 

"Their coronets to be of silver-gilt, the caps of crimson velvet 
turned up with ermine, with a gold tassel on the top and no jewels 
or precious stones are to be set or used in the coronets or counterfeit 
pearls instead of silver balls. 

"The coronet of a Baron to have on the circle or rim six silver 
bells at equal distances. 

"The coronet of a Viscount to have on the circle sixteen silver 
balls. 

"The coronet of an Earl to have on the circle four gold straw- 
berry leaves and four silver leaves alternately, the latter a little 
raised or pointed above the rim. 

"The coronet of a Duke to have on the circle eight gold straw- 
berry leaves." 



Uniforms 316 Appendix 

UNIFORMS OF FAMOUS INDEPENDENT MIL- 
ITARY ORGANIZATIONS 

A knowledge of the uniforms of the few remaining "ancient 
and honorable" military organizations, dating back to the early 
days of the country may be very useful to shopkeepers on occa- 
sions such as visits, celebrations, etc., and, in a broader way, to any 
student of costume or anyone having a professional, business or 
transient interest in the subject. 

The information following was supplied in every case by some 
member of the companies listed, usually by the commanding 
officer. Unfortunately, the list is not quite complete, as several 
promises to furnish descriptiv matter at a later date were appar- 
ently forgotten, and a few, tho repeatedly and courteously re- 
quested to do so, gave the matter no attention. Nevertheless, 
this is a representativ and measurably useful list. 
It must be remembered, however, that in keeping with the con- 
denst character of the Dictionary, descriptions are necessarily 
quite brief. If more precise information is required by any 
reader, it may be had, doubtless, by addressing the commanding 
officer of the company. 

Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts, 
Boston, Mass. Organized 1638. Each company of this organi- 
zation retains the uniform adopted at the time of its organization, 
the original company wearing the quaint buff-leather jerkins, flat 
hats and other characteristic accessories of that time ; the com- 
panies organized at the time of the war for independence wearing 
the historic buff and blue so well known to every school boy; 
those of the time of the late rebellion wearing the characteristic 
civil war uniforms ; while companies formed later wear more 
modern equipment. 

Charleston Light Dragoons, Charleston, S. C. Organized 1733 
(the oldest cavalry and the second oldest military organization 
in the U. S.). Now wearing the regulation U. S. uniform. Former 
uniform : a full dress coat of dark green cloth, buttoned to the 
throat, trimmed with seven rows of yellow braid across front 
connecting three rows of buttons, standing collar trimmed with 
yellow braid, yellow shoulder knots ; green trousers with yellow 
stripes; black boots; helmet of black leather with heavy brass 
ridge trimmings, horsehair pendant, brass visor, brass chin scale 
and brass crest. 

Charlestown Artillery, Boston, Mass. Organized 1786. For 
many years has worn only the regular uniform of the U. S. 
army and has no longer a private uniform. 



Appendix 317 Uniforms 

Chatham Artillery, Savannah, Ga. Organized 1786. The regular 
uniform that of the U. S. army. The dress uniform consists of: 
a half-frock artillery coat of gray cloth, single-breasted with a 
row of nine Georgia buttons in front, standing collar of scarlet 
cloth edged with gold lace, cuffs of scarlet cloth edged with gold 
lace ; trousers of blue cassimere cloth with stripes of scarlet cloth 
on outer seams edged with gold lace; cap of scarlet cloth with 
gray cloth field on top and with gold band and insignia; gold 
shoulder knots with scarlet ground and silver insignia; belt of 
gold and scarlet ; the same uniform for non-commissioned officers 
and privates, except the cuffs of coat edged with scarlet mohair 
braid instead of gold, the trousers with narrower stripes, the 
shoulder knots of scarlet mohair braid with gray ground, and the 
cap with scarlet field and scarlet band. The service uniform con- 
sists of a dark blue flannel shirt, dark gray jeans trousers, U. S. 
army campaign hat, brown duck army leggins. 
Columbus Riflemen, Columbus, Miss. Organized 1837. Present 
uniform that of the National Guard. In years past the company 
has various uniforms, the most notable and expensiv being a gray 
cutaway coat with a double row of buttons across the front fast- 
ened with gold bands across the breast; gold epaulets and white 
helmet. 



Duquesne Grays, Pittsburgh, Pa. Organized 1831. A dress uni- 
form of gray cloth, consisting of a full dress coat piped with 
white, with three rows of bell buttons on the breast, white epau- 
lets, white cross-belts and white waistbelt ; a broad white stripe 
on the outerseams of the trousers ; bearskin shako ; in general re- 
sembling that of West Point and the Cleveland Grays. The un- 
dress uniform consists of a gray blouse with one row of buttons, 
gray trousers with white stripes, and a regulation gray cap with 
insignia. 



First Company Governor's Foot Guard, Hartford, Conn. Or- 
ganized 1 77 1. Dress uniform consists of single-breasted cutaway 
frock coat of scarlet cloth with standing collar, a shaped plastron 
of black cloth on front trimmed with eight rows of silver braid and 
edged with same, standing collar and cuffs of black trimmed to 
match, skirts lined with buff cloth; waistcoat and breeches of 
buff cloth; black leggings; black fur cap with red-tipt pompon 
and red tassel on sides and gilt blazon in front ; white cross belts. 
First Company Governor's Horse Guard, Hartford, Conn. Or- 
ganized 1778. The dress uniform consists of a hussar's jacket of 
navy blue cloth with cross rows of black braid in front, fastening 



Uniforms 318 Appendix 

with olives, black braid up the back seams to the shoulders ; gold 
shoulder knots ; gold breast belt over left shoulder with dispatch 
box attacht behind, gold aigulets ; black astrakhan busby cap with 
yellow broadcloth top draping over the right side with hussar 
plume and insignia of troop. 

First Light Infantry, Providence, R. I. Organized 1818. The 
dress uniform consists of a scarlet swallowtail coat with standing 
collar; coat trimmed with white and gold; white epaulets trim- 
med with red ; light blue trousers of cloth woven especially for 
the regiment, with stripes of white broadcloth piped with red, 
except for officers who wear gold stripes with red piping ; a bear- 
skin hat about 18 in. high with black leather chin-strap and gold 
wire tassel in front. Equipment: a black leather waistbelt with 
plain brass buckle ; bayonet scabbard of black leather with brass 
trimmings ; a white cross-belt with cartridge box of colonial style 
attacht; in general resembling the uniforms of the Old Guard of 
the City of New York, the Governor's Foot Guards of Hartford, 
Conn., and the Washington (D. C.) Light Infantry. The dress 
uniform conforms to U. S. army regulations. 

First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry, Philadelphia, Pa. Or- 
ganized 1774. Officers mounted full dress uniform : single- 
breasted jacket of dark blue cloth with three rows of metal ball 
buttons, standing collar of scarlet cloth extending down center of 
back 3^ in. to point, narrow silver braiding on back, breast, col- 
lar, pocket, sleeves and skirt ; tight-fitting ankle breeches of white 
stockinet; helmet: body with vizor and cape of black japanned 
leather, body 6£ in. high with metal band, vizor metal bound and 
metal crest, side leaves, rosets and chin scales, a jet black grenier 
with fine short hair; epaulets of silver wire lace; sabretache of 
black morocco; baldric of scarlet silk and silver lace, lined with 
red leather; gauntlets of white leather; jack boots of black 
leather with front reaching above knees when seated; and other 
details, insignia, etc., as per regulations. The same uniform with 
slight modifications for non-commissioned officers and privates. 
Dismounted, wear trousers in place of breeches. Mess uniform : 
single-breasted jacket of dark blue cloth, open in front, with 
standing collar trimmed with silver braid looping across and 
fastening in front, pointed cuff's trimmed with silver braid ; white 
linen waistcoat closed to neck, with nickelplated buttons, silver 
shoulder cords. For men, a similar uniform with slight modifi- 
cations. 



Georgia Hussars, Savannah, Ga. Organized 1737. Present uni- 
form that of the National Guard. The historical uniform, adopted 
in 1819, was an adaptation of the uniform of the Austrian army, 



Appendix 319 Uniforms 

the coat being a single-breasted Hussar jacket, with five rows of 
buttons arranged shield shape on the front. 

Infantry Battalion State Fencibles, Philadelphia, Pa. Organ- 
ized 1813. Dress uniform: coatee of scarlet cloth with standing 
collar, trimmed across breast with seven rows white and gold 
braid, deep gold breast cord, cuffs of white cloth with ornamental 
gold braiding, epaulets of gold lace; black trousers with white 
stripes ; bearskin shako, with gold tassel, except for staff officers, 
who wear blue felt helmets with long white horse hair plumes. 
Same uniform for privates except that epaulets are of cotton cord 
instead of gold lace. Also the regulation olive-drab service uni- 
form. 

Kentish Guards, East Greenwich, R. I. Organized 1774. A 
single-breasted coatee of dark blue cloth, closed to throat with 
nine brass buttons, the collar of white cloth trimmed with flat 
gold braid, the coat trimmed with white and gold braid ; trousers 
of sky-blue cloth with white stripe on outer seams i| in. wide for 
officers and f in. wide for non-commissioned officers and privates. 
Except for insignia of rank and trousers stripes the uniform is 
the same for all officers and men. Insignia same as U. S. army 
full dress. 

Lafayette Artillery Company, South Lyndeboro, N. H. Organ- 
ized 1804. Now wears the present dress uniform of the regular 
artillery of the U. S. army, with the exceptions as follows: the 
caps are the older straight caps instead of the present bell crown ; 
the officers wear the same uniforms as the men with the excep- 
tion of the stripes and shoulder straps ; officers wear gilt stripes, 
but non-commissioned officers wear the regulation red stripe and 
chevrons. One of the historic uniforms of the company, adopted 
in 1833 or earlier, consisted of "a Bonaparte cap with a black 
"ploom", the coat blue and trimmed with yellow ball buttons 
and yellow worsted cord; with white pantaloons, with black 
"gaters" in pickets and black stocks, yellow belts for the sword 
with a belt over the shoulder, and boots". 

Macon Volunteers, Macon, Ga. Organized 1825. Now Co. B., 
2nd Regt. Infantry, National Guard of Georgia and wearing the 
regular army uniform. 

Mobile Rifle Company, Mobile, Ala. Organized 1836. Frock 
coat and trousers of olive-green cloth, the coat for men trimmed 
with a row of brass buttons on either side of breast, white epau- 
lets and wide white webbing over the shoulders, meeting at cen- 
ter of breast and fastened with a large brass buckle ; for officers, 



Uniforms 320 Appendix 

with rows of gold braid across breast instead of the brass buttons, 
and gold shoulder knots. Trousers with gold stripes at the sides. 
A high olive-green cap with gold trimmings and white plume. 
Montgomery True Blues, Montgomery, Ala. Organized 1836. 
Dress uniform consists of a coatee of dark blue cloth, for officers, 
with seven rows of gold braid across breast, gold standing collar 
with center of red, gold epaulets with red center; enlisted men 
wearing white cross belts instead of gold braid across breast and 
gold epaulets with red fringe ; white waist belts ; trousers of light 
blue cloth with gold stripes with red center; black shakos with 
two gold tassels. 

National Lancers, Boston, Mass. Organized 1836. Dress uni- 
form : a double-breasted dress coat of scarlet cloth with two rows 
of nine buttons on breast, skirts faced back and front with mili- 
tary blue cloth and lined with scarlet cloth, standing collar, the 
coat trimmed rather elaborately with gold braid ; trousers for 
officers, of dark blue cloth with gold stripe for full dress, and of 
sky-blue cloth with yellow cloth stripe for undress, and for troop- 
ers of sky-blue cloth with yellow cord stripe ; riding breeches of 
same material and style ; helmet of blue felt, lancers pattern, with 
black enamel leather square-top with brass bound corners, 
brass scalechin strap, gold helmet cord extending to neck 
and beneath right shoulder passing under the arm, plume of 
white swans feathers ; epaulets of scarlet cloth for troopers, 
shoulder knots of gold braid for officers ; belt and saber straps of 
white enamel leather, officers wearing regulation army gold-em- 
broidered dress belt; cape of dark blue kersey lined with yellow, 
officers wearing army officer's cape. Fatigue uniform : a close-fit- 
ting blouse of dark blue cloth fastened with nine buttons, four 
outside bellows pockets with flaps ; cap, same as U. S. army. 
New Haven Grays, New Haven, Conn. Organized 1816. The 
dress uniform of iron-gray cloth, consisting of a coatee with nine 
rows of braid across the front and three rows of buttons, standing 
collar, fringed epaulets, white waist belt and white cross belts, 
tall stiff felt cap with pompon, insignia, etc. ; trousers to match 
with two braid stripes ; in general resembling the West Point 
uniform. 

Old Guard of the City of New York, New York, N. Y. Organ- 
ized 1826. Dress uniform : double-breasted coat of white cloth 
with ten buttons on a side, embroidered collar of mazarin blue 
cloth ; mazarin blue cuffs, edged with scarlet cloth and trimmed 
with gold braid ; skirts turned up front and back with mazarin 
blue cloth edged with scarlet and trimmed with gold braid ; trou- 
sers of mazarin blue cloth with scarlet stripes and gold braiding 



Appendix 321 Uniforms 

along outer seams; bearskin grenadier hat 15 in. high and 36 in. 
around at top, with two gold tassels and metallic chin-strap; or 
a dress cap of dark blue cloth, circular pattern, without visor, 
with patent leather chin-strap, gold embroidery on red field in 
front, for wear with white coat on occasions of ceremony. Over- 
coat of heavy dark blue beaver, double-breasted surtout style, 
with collar, cuffs and side edges of scarlet cloth edged with white 
cord. Fatigue uniform : a single-breasted sack coat of dark blue 
cloth, closed with flap with concealed fastenings, standing collar, 
trimmed along edges, seams, etc., with flat black mohair braid ; 
fatigue cap of regulation pattern with black silk cord. Officers' 
dress same as for privates except hat and cap cords are of gilt; 
epaulets of fine bullion, plain straps. Shoulder knots of gold 
wire cord on scarlet cloth. Other details as per regulations. 

Republican Rifles, Savannah, Ga. Organized 1808. No longer 
uses the old uniforms of the corps, but is uniformed and equipt 



Salem Light Infantry, Salem, Mass. Organized 1805. No pri- 
vate uniform at the present time, wearing that of the National 
Guard. 

Second Battery, F. A. N. G., N. Y., New York, N. Y. Organized 
1833. Equipt and uniformed exactly as a Field Battery of the 
U. S. army. 

Second Company Governor's Foot Guard, New Haven, Conn. 
Organized 1775. Dress uniform consists of scarlet frock coat, 
single-breasted, cutaway sharply just below the middle of the 
chest, the front with a plastron of light blue cloth, square at the 
top, and extending in a narrow edging all along the skirts, trim- 
med along its edges with silver braid, and laid across the breast 
with rows of silver braid, cuffs and standing collar of blue cloth 
with silver trimming to match, also a similar treatment on the 
skirts over the hips ; waistcoat and breeches of white cloth ; black 
velvet leggings ; bearskin shako with silver tassel ; white gloves ; 
white cross belts, black waist belt. 

Second Corps of Cadets, Salem, Mass. Organized 1785. In its 
career the corps has had some sixteen or more uniforms, all of 
which it wears on certain occasions, as anniversary celebrations, 
etc. With the exception of the uniform worn during the civil 
war, all the coats were red, with black, blue or light blue trou- 
sers. The present uniform consists of a red coat with blue facings 
(collar, cuffs, belt, tabs, shoulder straps, side edges, etc.) with 
white edges ; trousers of dark blue cloth with white stripes ; waist 
belt and cross belt of black enamel leather ; French shako cap of 
beaver with red and blue pompon ; gold chevrons ; other details 
as prescribed. 



Uniforms 322 Appendix 

Seventh Regiment, N. G., S. N. Y., New York, N. Y. Organized 
1806. Full dress coat: of cadet gray cloth, single-breasted with 
standing collar, the skirts lined with black cloth and turned up 
both back and front, fronts of the coat trimmed with three rows 
of N. G. buttons connected across with black mohair braid in 
double rows. Dress coat, officers : of dark blue cloth with stand- 
ing collar ; for enlisted men : a blouse of cadet gray cloth with 
standing collar and cuffs of black cloth. Trousers of gray cadet 
cloth with black stripes; in summer of white duck. Full dress 
hat : a shako of black felt or beaver 4% in. high in front and y\ in. 
high behind, with white worsted pompon and with orna- 
ments, etc., as prescribed. Fatigue cap for men : of gray cloth, 
with black band, etc. ; for officers, of dark blue cloth. Field serv- 
ice uniform, of olive-drab cloth, same as U. S. army. 
Strafford Guards, Dover, N. H. Organized 1822. Now wearing 
regulation U. S. uniform, being "Co. A, Second Infantry, N. 
H. N. G." 



Washington Artillery, New Orleans, La. Organized 1840. 
Present uniform conforms to that of U. S. army. The uniform of 
1840 consisted of a single-breasted coatee of deep blue cloth with 
red standing collar and red cuffs ; light blue trousers with red 
stripes ; gold epaulets for officers and red for men ; gold waist 
belt for officers and white cross belts for men ; tall white shako 
caps with red pompon. The uniform of 1861 retained the same 
colors for coat and trousers but the coat was a single-breasted 
sack, buttoned to the neck, with standing collar; red caps of the 
forward slant type ; gold epaulets for officers and gold shoulder 
knots for men ; gold waist belt for officers and white waist belt 
and white cross belt for men. The uniform of 1875 was entirely 
of gray cloth, the coat being a double-breasted frock with stand- 
ing collar, two rows of gilt buttons on the breast and edgings of 
red cloth ; red trousers stripes ; officers wore gilt waist belt and 
men white; officers wore gold-and-red shoulder knots and men 
red-and-white ; caps of black felt, French shako pattern, with red 
plumes. The uniform of 1883 reverted to the two blues of earlier 
days, somewhat resembling in style those of 1840, excepting 
chiefly that the coat had three rows of gilt buttons on the chest, 
the men wearing red epaulets and officers gold-and-red shoulder 
knots, the men wearing a white waist belt only and the officers 
giit; the headdress was a white helmet with gilt trimmings and 
red plume for officers and with gilt chin straps and gilt spike for 
men. 



Appendix 323 College Colors 

COLLEGE COLORS 

Modern merchants play-up to the collegians, making artful use 
of the colors and emblems as occasion affords Wherefore the 
usefulness of this list. 

(P. S. — Don't object to the few women's colleges included — 
the information may be useful in an emergency. 

Adelphi College Brown and Gold. 

Alabama Polytechnic Institute Orange and Blue. 

Albion College Pink and Green. 

Alfred University Royal Purple and Old Gold. 

Amherst College Purple and White. 

Armour Institute of Technology Yellow and Black. 

Atlanta University Steel Gray and Crimson. 

Baker University Burnt Orange. 

Baldwin University Old Gold and Brown. 

Barnard College Light Blue and White. 

Bates College Garnet. 

Baylor University Green and Gold. 

Bethany College, Kansas Yellow and Blue. 

Boston University Scarlet and White. 

Bowdoin College White. 

Brigham Young College Crimson. 

Brown University Brown and White. 

Bryn Mawr College Yellow and White. 

Bucknell University Orange and Blue. 

Butler College Blue and Wh te. 

Carlisle Indian School Red and Old Gold 

Case School of Applied Science Brown and White 

Catholic University of America Gold and White ; Maroon and 

Black for athletics. 

Central University, (Kentucky) Cardinal and Blue. 

Claflin University Orange and Maroon. 

Clark College Scarlet and White. 

Clark University Emerald Green and White. 

Clemson Agricultural College Purple and Orange. 

College of the City of New York Lavender. 

Colorado College Black and Gold. 

Columbia University Light Blue and White. 

Cornell College, (Iowa) Royal Purple and White. 

Cornell University Carnelian and White. 

Creighton University Blue and White. 

Culver Military Academy Maroon and White. 

Cumberland University Maroon and White. 

Dakota University Blue and White. 

Dartmouth College Green. 

Delaware College Old Gold and Blue. 

Denison University Denison Red. 

Denver University Red and Gold. 

De Pauw University Old Gold. 

Dickinson College Red and White. 

Drake University Blue and White. 

Drury College Scarlet and Gray. 

Earlham College Yellow and Cream. 

Fisk University Blue and Yellow. 

Fort Worth University Blue and Gold. 

Franklin and Marshall College Blue and White. 

Franklin College, (Indiana) Navy Blue and Old Gold. 

Georgetown University, (D. C.) Blue and Gray. 

George Washington University Buff and Blue. 



College Colors 324 Appendix 

Girard College Steel and Garnet. 

Grant University Gold and Blue. 

Grove City College Crimson. 

Hamilton College Rose Pink. 

Hampton Institute Blue and White. 

Harvard University Crimson. 

Heidelberg University Black, Orange and Red. 

Hillsdale College Ultra-Marine (Blue). 

Hiram College Sky Blue and Cherry Red. 

Hobart College Yellow and Purple. 

Holy Cross College Purple and White. 

Howard University Dark Blue and White. 

Illinois Wesleyan University Green and White. 

Indiana University Crimson and Cream. 

Iowa College Scarlet and Black. 

Iowa State College Cardinal and Gold. 

Iowa Wesleyan University White and Purple. 

Jacob Tome Institute Blue and White. 

John B. Stetson University Green and White. 

John Hopkins University Black and Old Gold. 

Kansas City University Crimson and Orange. 

Kansas Wesleyan University Purple and Old Gold. 

Kentucky University Crimson. 

Knox College Purple and Old Gold. 

Lafayette College, (Pennsylvania) Maroon and White. 

Lake Forest University Red and Black. 

Lawrence University White and Yale Blue. 

Lebanon Valley College Blue and White. 

Lehigh University Brown and White. 

Leland University Blue. 

Leland Stanford, Jr., University Cardinal. 

Manhattan College Green and White. 

Marietta College Navy Blue and White. 

Maryville College Orange and Garnet. 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. . .Cardinal Red and Silver Gray. 

Mercer University Orange and Black. 

Miami University Crimson and White. 

Michigan Agricultural College Olive Green. 

Mississippi Agri. and Mech. College Maroon and White. 

Morris Brown College Royal Purple and Black. 

Mount Holyoke College Light Blue. 

Mount Union College Royal Purple. 

Nebraska Wesleyan University Yellow and Brown. 

Nevada State University Royal Blue and White. 

New York University Violet. 

Normal College Lavender and White. 

Northwestern University, (Illinois) Royal Purple. 

Oberlin College Crimson and Gold. 

Ohio Northern University Orange and Black. 

Ohio State University Scarlet and Gray. 

Ohio University Olive Green and White. 

Ohio Wesleyan University Red and Black 

Oregon Agricultural College Orange. 

Ottawa University Sunflower Yellow. 

Otterbein University Cardinal and Tan. 

Polytechnic Institute, (Brooklyn) Blue and Gray. 

Pratt Institute, (Brooklyn) Cadmium Yellow. 

Princeton University Orange and Black. 

Purdue University Old Gold and Black. 

Radcliffe College Red and White. 

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Cherry and Cream. 



Appendix 325 College Colors 

Rutgers College Scarlet. 

Shaw University Garnet and White. 

Simmons College Blue and Gold. 

Simpson College Red and Old Gold. 

Smith College White. 

Southwest Kansas College Royal Purple. 

State College of Kentucky Blue and White. 

State College of Washington Crimson and Gray. 

State University of Iowa Old Gold. 

State University of North Dakota Pink and Green. 

Stevens Institute of Technology Silver Gray and Cardinal. 

St. Francis Xavier College Maroon and Blue. 

St. John's College, (N. Y.) Maroon. 

St Lawrence University Scarlet and Brown 

St. Louis University Blue and White. 

St. Olaf College Old Gold. 

Syracuse University Orange. 

Talladega College Cardinal and Blue. 

Teachers' College, (New York City) Blue and White. 

Temple College Cherry and White. 

Texas Christian College Royal Purple and White. 

Throop Polytechnic Institute Orange and White. 

Trinity College, (Connecticut) Old Gold and Blue. 

Trinity College (North Carolina) Navy Blue. 

Tufts College Brown and Blue. 

Tuskeg'ee Institute Crimson and Old Gold. 

University of Alabama Crimson and White. 

University of Arkansas Cardinal. 

University of California Blue and Gold. 

University of Chicago Maroon. 

University of Cincinnati Red and Black. 

University of Colorado Silver and Gold. 

University of Denver Crimson and Gold. 

University of Georgia Red and Black. 

University of Idaho . Silver and Gold. 

University of Illinois Orange and Blue. 

University of Kansas Crimson and Blue. 

University of Kentucky Blue and White. 

University of Maine Light Blue. 

University of Michigan Maize and Blue. 

University of Minnesota Old Gold and Maroon. 

University of Missouri Black and Old Gold. 

University of Montana Copper, Gold, and Silver. 

University of Nashville Garnet and Blue 

University of Nebraska Scarlet and Cream. 

University of North Carolina White and Blue. 

University of Notre Dame Old Gold and Marine Blue. 

University of Oregon Oregon Grape, Green and Yellow. 

University of Pennsylvania Red and Blue. 

University of Rochester Yellow. 

University of South Dakota Vermilion. 

University of Southern California Cardinal and Gold. 

University of the South Purple and Old Gold. 

University of Tennessee Orange and White. 

University of Texas White and Gold. 

University of Utah Crimson and Silver. 

University of Vermont Green and Gold. 

University of Virginia Orange and Dark Blue. 

University of Washington Purple and Gold. 

University of Wisconsin Cardinal. 

University of Wooster Black and Old Gold . 



College Colors 326 Appendix 

University School, (Ohio) Maroon and Black. 

United States Military Academy Black, Gold and Gray. 

United States Naval Academy Blue and Gold. 

Upper Iowa University Peacock Blue. 

Utah Agricultural College White and Blue. 

Vanderbilt University Black and Gold. 

Vassar College Rose and Gray. 

Virginia Polytechnic Institute Orange and Maroon. 

Walden University Black and Red. 

Washburn College Electric Blue. 

Washington and Jefferson College Red and Black. 

Washington and Lee University Blue and White. 

Washington University, (Missouri) Myrtle and Maroon. 

Wellesley College Deep Blue. 

Wesleyan University Cardinal and Black 

Western Reserve University Crimson and White. 

Western University of Pennsylvania Old Gold and Navy Blue. 

West Virginia University Old Gold and Blue. 

Wiley University Royal Purple and White. 

William and Mary College Orange and White. 

Williamette University Cardinal and Old Gold. 

Williams College Royal Purple. 

Woman's College of Baltimore Dark Blue and Old Gold. 

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Crimson and Steel Gray. 

Yale University Blue. 



MANDARINS' BUTTONS 

In China the rank or dignity of the mandarin is indicated by a 
button in the top of the cap. There are nine classes, each of two 
degrees, and they are differentiated thus: 

Class Degree 

f A ruby or other precious stone 1st 1st 

Coral 1st 2nd 

A red jewel of inferior quality 2nd 1st 

[ Coral carved in the form of a flower. . . . 2nd 2nd 

!A light-blue precious stone 3rd 1st 

The same only smaller 3rd 2nd 

A dark-blue precious stone 4th 1st 

The same only smaller 4th 2nd 

f Crystal 5th 1st 

White ] ^e same only smaller 5th 2nd 

J A white precious stone 6th 1st 

( The same only smaller 6th 2nd 

[Gold 7th 1st 

Smaller 7th 2nd 

Smaller 8th 1st 

Smaller 8th 2nd 

Gold buttons are also worn by the ninth or lowest order — but 
which, nevertheless, is a great deal above the common classes. 



Red 



Gold 



A DICTIONARY 
of ENGRAVING 

By William Henry Baker 

• 

AN unique reference book for advertising men (both genders) 
k who, paradoxically, are often somewhat at sea in discussing 
the processes of engraving; electrotyping and the related graphic 
arts 

Designed as a popular rather than a pedantic book — so here 
and there thruout it are to be found touches of "human interest" 
such as unconventional definitions of non-technical terms, rank 
candor and some cynicism, which may bite or amuse. Technical 
terms, however, are not monkeyed with. 

Printed with some taste on laid antique paper, untrimmed, 
with illustrations and diagrams, bound in decorated boards, handy 
volume size. 

"Exceedingly helpful." — Printer's Ink "Should find a place in the library and work- 

„„ . ... . shop of every man whose business comes 

Even the non-professiona! reader will profit within the scope of its tr e a , me nt." 

by havme it on a convenient shelf. -Louisville Evening Post 
—Cleveland Leader 

"Remarkable for brevity and directness." ^u^an"^.^"^ ""* 

-Cleveland Press _^ r DaHf j,^ ^^ 

"We have an idea it was born of the travail „__ ... 

of •pirit endured by the author (an advertising The most interesting volume to the allied 

manager of wide experience) in dealing with "™ e ? s . lnce Lockwoods American Dictionary 

the great crowd of craftsmen who have not of p "n»n£ and Bookmakmg 

overtenderly guided his copy through art de- —Ton, Rubovits, Chicago 

£?= "S^ ' 7S „ C °~ e .. r °° m ' "Compliment you upon its completeness and 



stereotyping department and pressroom 



reliability.' 



Detroit Times _ Tfce ff g Ormsbee Engraving Co.. 

'Very practical and indeed interesting." Syracuse 

— American Printer ,,_ .... 

Certainly interesting to anyone interested 
'Has a value which can hardly be estimated." in printing." 

— The Franklin Company, Chicago —Dill & Collins Co., Philadelphia 

Price, 75 cents, postpaid. Edition limited 

PUBLISHT BY 

WILLIAM HENRY BAKER 

CLEVELAND, OHIO 



622 



IP 



BflfiBH 



■ 



m 



III 
■ 



1 

■ 

■ 



Win 

■ 

m 



